Aurizon [QR National]

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Aurizon workers feeling betrayed by job cutbacks

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 31st May 2014 page 21

On the Aurizon

[ozbob]

Andrew Korner of the Queensland times, nails it ...

Queensland Times 24th May 2014 page 11

A bit rich .. CEO Paid millions

^ Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 31st May 2014 page 21

On the Aurizon

[colinw]

Brisbane Times -> click here

[ozbob]

International Railway Journal --> Aurizon considers track sale as profits drop

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Aurizon defends expansion plans

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Aurizon rail yards plan to clear way for Townsville stadium site

[ozbob]

Twitter

Railway Gazette ‏@railwaygazette 6h

Aurizon has run longest-ever Central Queensland Coal Network train; 2·3 km, 136 wagons, 11000 tones coal (file pic)

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Mayor criticises Aurizon job cuts

[ozbob]

http://www.aurizon.com.au/Media/MediaRelease/Pages/Aurizon-is-open-for-business-in-North-West-Queensland-.aspx

Aurizon is open for business in North West Queensland

1/06/2015

Australia's largest rail freight operator, Aurizon, is open for business in North West Queensland, with extra capacity creating opportunities for customers to get their products on board daily services. 

The Company's recent changes to its intermodal services in the North West region has created additional capacity for new and existing customers between Townsville and Mount Isa.​

Designed specifically for North West Queensland, Aurizon's intermodal services have the capability to move a variety of products, from containerised freight through to heavier industrial and mining products.

Aurizon's General Manager Commercial & Marketing Freight North, David Wright said the North West corridor provides a strategic link from the minerals rich Mount Isa region to the Port of Townsville, with connections through to Brisbane via the North Coast rail line.

"This additional capacity will allow the North West to have better access to Aurizon's Intermodal business, which provides door to door logistics solutions across Australia utilising both rail and road.

"It makes business sense moving freight via rail.  Using rail reduces customer's land transportation carbon footprint and can achieve significant operational, safety and environmental outcomes.

"Over longer distances, rail freight produces around ten times less carbon dioxide than road freight per tonne kilometre and generates almost ten times less in accident costs," he said. 

Aurizon runs daily train services on the 970 kilometre track between Townsville and Mount Isa and offers a national logistics service that links North West Queensland to the rest of Australia.

For more information on Aurizon's services in North West Queensland, please contact Aurizon's Sales Manager for the region, Michael Peterson, on 0447 987 231 or email Michael.Peterson@aurizon.com.au​

[#Metro]

https://www.google.se/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=aurizon%20share%20price
Aurizon is doing really well. It's well on the way to doubling in value over 4 years.

The happy tale of Aurizon's privatisation
http://www.afr.com/markets/commodities/metals/the-happy-tale-of-aurizons-privatisation-20140124-iy79i

Working in his favour was the fact the market under-estimated the amount of excess there was to be trimmed. Executives say the level of inefficiency at the time of privatisation was staggering. A lot of work has been done to change the culture at Aurizon as well as savings in labour, IT, corporate services and real estate.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Aurizon posts 139pc profit increase on cost cutting

[Stillwater]

More job losses at Aurizon:

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/aurizon-deepens-cost-cutting-will-shed-800-jobs/2799636

[ozbob]

Twitter

Rail Express ‏@RailExpressNews 23m

Aurizon to move more coal with less workers, wagons and fuel -  http://www.railexpress.com.au/aurizon-to-move-more-coal-with-less-workers-wagons-and-fuel/ ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

Rail Express ‏@RailExpressNews 24s

Aurizon to shut sites, invest in intermodal -  http://www.railexpress.com.au/aurizon-to-shut-sites-invest-in-intermodal/ ...

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Former Aurizon employee feels for staff after cuts announced

[ozbob]

Townsville Bulletin --> $40m Aurizon rail relocation to free up Townsville CBD land

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Aurizon wins top Woolworths gong

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Rail provider Aurizon has been dealt another blow with a train derailment in Queensland

[ozbob]

Townsville Bulletin --> Long clean up ahead after train derailment




A train carrying 200,000 litres of sulphuric acid derailed 20km east of Julia Creek. Picture: QPS

[ozbob]

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
Thursday, December 31, 2015

Rail freight on track for regional communities

The Palaszczuk Government has ensured rail freight will stay on track for regional Queensland, after recently renewing two key contracts.

Both the Regional Freight Transport Services Contract (RFTSC) and the Livestock Transport Services Contract (LTSC) have been negotiated with Aurizon to the end of December 2017.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the renewed contracts would ensure more than 900 rail freight services continued to run each year for Queensland producers and farmers.

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to supporting businesses in regional communities, and by continuing to invest in rail freight we can ensure ongoing economic benefits and employment opportunities right across the state," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"These contracts will ensure cattle producers continue to have access to more than 300 cattle train services each year to transport livestock from regional hubs such as Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Winton, Clermont and Quilpie.

"That's in addition to the 624 rail freight services which will continue to be provided annually to support the import and export trade in Queensland and general freight rail services in the Central West."

Mr Hinchliffe said a number of improvements had been made to the contracts to make rail freight services even more attractive to producers.

"We are continuing to strive to ensure regional rail freight and livestock services are an attractive transport option for Queensland producers and farmers," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The renewed contracts include the introduction of performance targets and an increased focus on customer service.

"Additionally, the Palaszczuk Government has also agreed to purchase new cattle crates to provide more diverse transport options for customers and rail operators.

"The new cattle crates, intended to be loaded onto standard 40-foot, flat-bed wagon rolling stock, will initially be purchased for Aurizon but will later become available for any future rail operators.

"I encourage regional businesses, producers and farmers to contact Aurizon and make use of these services."

The Queensland Government will continue to support road freight services in regional Queensland on a transition-out basis until 30 June, 2017.

The RFTSC and LTSC have been renewed with operator Aurizon to December 2017. The Department of Transport and Main Roads will undertake an open tender process for future rail services beyond 2017.

[ozflier]

"That's in addition to the 624 rail freight services which will continue to be provided annually to support the import and export trade in Queensland and general freight rail services in the Central West."

I wonder what these 624 annual services represent?
Is the Minister suggesting that he and the Labor government are subsidizing them
or
are most services ones that Aurizon deems money making proposition ( ie without subsidy)

[ozbob]

Financial Review --> Aurizon owed $27m in Queensland Nickel collapse

[ozbob]

Aurizon --> Aurizon signs sugar and molasses haulage contract with Wilmar

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Extended interview with Aurizon CEO, Lance Hockridge

CEO Lance Hockridge says he is aiming to cut costs at Aurizon as coal tonnage and revenue declines push Australia's largest rail based transport company into a half year net loss.

[petey3801]

Maybe if he didn't put all his eggs in the Coal basket, this problem may not have been anywhere near as large...

[bretto82]

This just in about redbank workshops http://m.qt.com.au/news/new-deal-will-keep-redbank-rail-workshops-open-to-/2968700/

[ozbob]

Thanks.  Thread here on Redbank Workshops as well > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11045.msg170984#msg170984

[bretto82]

Was looking for it haha but could not find it on my I fone soz boss bob

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> BMA Rail stifles Aurizon coal growth

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Aurizon prepares for Enfield opening

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Rail operator Aurizon writes down Aquila to zero and cuts 300+ jobs, raising union concerns

RAIL operator Aurizon is axing more than 300 jobs and writing off the last $73 million of value from a takeover two years ago of Western Australia resources company Aquila.

The bottom line of Brisbane-based Aurizon is also copping an additional $29 million hit on the value of railway locomotives and carriages.

The problems reflect ongoing struggles for resources-linked companies and wipe-outs on acquisitions made during the mining boom.

"Clearly we're operating in a tough and volatile market with lower growth conditions for our customers," Aurizon chief executive Lance Hockridge said in a stockmarket announcement on Thursday.

"In this environment, we are targeting further reductions in our cost base and finding new ways to drive asset and labour productivity."

Aurizon said the amount of coal it hauled would be 207 million tonnes, down on last year's 211 million tonnes. The amount of coal carried on Aurizon lines by a subsidiary and other players was a record 226 million tonnes ...

[ozbob]

Aurizon Holdings today announced the impending departure of Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Lance Hockridge and the appointment of Andrew Harding as his successor.

>> http://www.aurizon.com.au/news/news/aurizon-announces-mdandceo-succession

[ozbob]

K&S deal sees Aurizon intermodal volumes soar - https://t.co/ALvJf4ZKps pic.twitter.com/cNOrfOKokc

— Rail Express (@RailExpressNews) January 18, 2017

[ozbob]

International Railway Journal --> Aurizon goes for second bite of Galilee cherry

AUSTRALIAN rail freight operator Aurizon is looking to revitalise its plans for a 1067mm-gauge rail link to the proposed coalfields in the Galilee Basin in north Queensland, according to reports in the Financial Review.

Aurizon has reportedly submitted a $A1.25bn ($US 960m) proposal to the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), a federal government body tasked with opening up remote areas in the north of country.

Last year Indian coal miner Adani made a similar submission to NAIF for public investment in the form of a $A 1bn loan to build the rail and port infrastructure associated with its proposed Carmichael mine project.

The two proposals are in direct competition with each other.

Less than a year ago, Aurizon abandoned planning for a Galilee rail link incurring a $A 30m impairment. However, the report suggests that recently appointed CEO Mr Andrew Harding has brought a fresh outlook to Aurizon.

Aurizon's proposal could be viewed as a strategic play in that it alleviates the government's position of potentially providing a $A 1bn subsidy to a foreign investor for a project that is already mired in controversy.

Adani's Carmichael proposal requires construction of a standard gauge 390km line to connect with the Adani-owned coal terminal at Abbot Point in north Queensland. The mine would have an initial production of 25 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), ramping up to 60mtpa over time.

Aurizon's proposal would remove some infrastructure duplication, a potential change in gauge, and would also have a significant impact in reducing the total cost of the rail project.

[ozbob]

http://www.aurizon.com.au/news/news/proposed-changes-in-queensland-operations-to-meet-customer-needs

1st June 2017

Aurizon Media Release

Proposed changes in Queensland operations to meet customer needs

As a result of changing customer demand Aurizon has announced it proposes to move to more flexible train crewing operations in Central and North Queensland and undertake a staged closure of its rollingstock maintenance workshop in Rockhampton.

The proposed changes, to be phased through to late 2018, are necessary to address varying demand in the resources sector as well as changes to Aurizon's operating footprint.

Head of Operations Mike Carter said the Aurizon business has changed significantly in recent years in line with changing market demand.

"Aurizon needs to continue to change in line with what our customers need if we are to remain competitive," Mr Carter said.

"Historically, most of our train crew have been permanent full-time employees and we have been unable to match fluctuations in weekly and monthly demand in train haulage services from coal customers or contract wins or losses.

"As a result we are proposing to change the composition of our train crew workforce in Central and North Queensland. This will involve engaging more contractors to provide greater flexibility for our customers. This will result in reducing the number of permanent full-time train drivers.

"In addition we have also commenced consultation with employees on the staged closure of the Rockhampton rollingstock maintenance workshops by late 2018.

"The amount of work required at this workshop has significantly reduced in recent years. It is a legacy facility – designed for a different operating footprint in a different time – and is not located close to our operations in the Central Queensland Coal Network.

"We have undertaken a review of core maintenance requirements for our Queensland rollingstock fleet and our future maintenance task will be best delivered at our newer facilities at Jilalan (Sarina), Stuart (Townsville), Willowburn (Toowoomba) and Callemondah (Gladstone), with components supply and non-core maintenance sourced from third parties."

Mr Carter said Aurizon recognises the impact these changes may have on local jobs and the regional economy but would work to offset the losses by undertaking a review of which metropolitan based roles have the potential to be relocated to Rockhampton and other regional centres.

He said the extended implementation phase proposed by Aurizon was also intended to allow all options to be explored for employees including retraining, redeployment and redundancy.

The detail of the proposed changes about the employee consultations, which commenced today include:

    Staged closure of the Rockhampton rollingstock workshop by late 2018. There are a total of 181 employees at the workshops who may be impacted. Up to 40 affected employees are expected to have the opportunity for redeployment to Aurizon's Jilalan facility. All 10 apprenticeships at the Rockhampton facility, if not completed before closure, will be completed at other facilities.

    Reshaping the composition of our train crew workforce in Central Queensland at the depots of Callemondah, Bluff, and Stanwell, with 126 permanent train crew positions to be phased out progressively over the next 12 months. This transition is expected to see the creation of approximately 70 locally-based train crew contractor positions over that same period.

    The reduction of approximately 62 permanent positions including train crew, freight operators and leaders at the North Queensland depots of Mackay and Townsville, primarily as the result of the completion of Aurizon's haulage contract with Wilmar Sugar in December 2017. As a result of this, and the ongoing freight review, the Mackay Freight train crew depot will close.

    Engagement of an additional 20 contractor train crew for the Coppabella depot near Moranbah in central Queensland to meet increased customer demand on the Goonyella and Newlands Coal Systems.

Mr Carter said Aurizon would also commence discussions with local, state and federal government representatives on the opportunity for urban redevelopment in Rockhampton on land vacated by the workshops.

The Rockhampton Workshop was first established in 1870s and includes a 'roundhouse' previously used to move locomotives into various maintenance bays. The heritage-listed roundhouse is largely preserved and provides an ideal opportunity for integration into any future urban redevelopment.

Aurizon will continue to have a large presence in the Rockhampton region with more than 650 employees across its various businesses. This includes an ongoing presence at the Rockhampton Administration building in Murray Street which is set for a major refurbishment in the near future.

[Stillwater]

So any of the drivers to be sacked interested in living in Brisbane, driving suburban trains?

[#Metro]

MTR Melbourne is hiring too IIRC.

[HappyTrainGuy]

So any of the drivers to be sacked interested in living in Brisbane, driving suburban trains?

They still have to be certified to drive the suburban trains and route knowledge.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Aurizon job losses in regional Queensland kick in the guts, union says

The decision to cut hundreds of Aurizon jobs in central and north Queensland is about survival, the rail freight operator has said, but the union argues it is a "kick in the guts" for workers.

Aurizon said more than 300 jobs would go as part of a major overhaul of its operations needed for the company to remain competitive.

The historic maintenance workshops in Rockhampton will be closed and redeveloped by the end of next year, affecting 181 workers.

A further 126 train crew positions would be phased out in central Queensland, to be replaced by 70 contractors.

In Mackay and Townsville, 62 jobs would go where haulage contracts had been finalised.

Aurizon said it would work to offset the losses by relocating workers where possible.

It said it was reshaping its operations in response to changing demands in the mining sector.

Aurizon head of operations Michael Carter said it was a tough market.

"We don't take that decision lightly however in the interests of the long-term sustainability and success of the company we think it is essential to take these tough decisions," he said.

"We, also in doing that, need to make the hard decisions that means that sometimes what's best for all of our company, for all of our company's employees ... in doing that sometimes very unfortunately some towns have bigger impacts than other towns."

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) spokesman Bernie Miztell said the impacts of the closure in Rockhampton would be widespread.

"[It's a] kick in the guts for the workers down there at the Aurizon workshops," he said.

"We've gone through some tough times and for the broader community, there's going to be 250 workers lose their jobs there.

"Then there's other workers that provide services to Aurizon that will be affected in Rockhampton."