Evolution has recently been working with Origin Alliance on the $ 2 Billion Dinmore to Goodna Freeway Upgrade in Queensland. It is a working relationship that has seen some great results with successful and safe completion of extensive works. And now Evolution and Origin have collaborated again, all for the benefit of some great charity work for kids.

Operation Kinder Community undertook renovation makeover of The Kids Club in Riverview, which provides after school hours services for children in the area. Significant works to the building were completed, including installing a new kitchen, carpets, air conditioning, storage space and garden beds – all thanks to the Origin Alliance team and several generous donations from Blackwoods, A E Smith and Evolution!

Evolution is proud that the artistic talents of one of their own traffic controllers, Leon Jones, has played a very special role in this renovation that will mean so much to the kids at Operation Kinder Community. Leon was commissioned to create an amazing collage for The Kids Club and the results are fantastic – a colourful, detailed and engaging work that Leon describes as “a cartoonist’s painting / collage heaven.”

Leon’s playful sense of humour and eye for detail have become well-known on site, as he’s often turned his hand to drawing cartoons of team members and vehicles, and this is what lead to him being asked to create the collage for The Kids Club building. As a former youth worker, Leon knows the value that this type of community service can provide, so he was delighted to help bring some joy with his original work.

He designed and created the large collage using a variety of materials including stencils, glue, sealant, aerosols and paint pens. ‘Building bridges’ was the theme he chose for the work, which contains a visual feast of characters and scenarios in unique detail. In fact, some of Leon’s workmate’s might recognise themselves in some of the caricatures shown driving and directing equipment.

Well done to Leon for his valued contribution, we’re sure the kids will love it!

Evolution Graffiti Solutions recently commenced operations in Melbourne on its first major contract for the City of Port Phillip. By providing a superior solution for Council, Evolution was able to secure the new contract with scope to offer new graffiti mitigation strategies. Utilizing smart phone technology and ‘real time’ reporting, Evolution provides Council with daily updates and improved customer service. Council’s Senior Building Maintenance Officer, Titus Bodikala, says he is delighted with Evolution and Council is very happy with the performance of our team.

Evolution Road Maintenance Group acquired “The Graffiti Specialists Pty Ltd”, a well-established operation in Sydney and has since rebranded the business Evolution Graffiti Solutions to better reflect the end-to-end service offering. With a fleet of new vehicles and an experienced management team, Evolution Graffiti will continue to develop across the eastern seaboard. Visit our graffiti team at www.graffitispecialists.com.au

HMS Civils Britflex BEJ Joint Bridge Expansion Joint System has gathered significant momentum since its approval by the Department of Transport & Main Roads QLD (DTMR). The joint has now been specified at a number of projects including two bridges that were recently refurbished for Brisbane City Council at the Turbot Street and Walter Taylor Bridges.

In both cases the joint systems were installed very successfully during weekend closures with works being completed well within the time frames provided.

The efficiency of the installation process allows works to be completed within tight time frames with the installed sections opened to traffic within 2 – 3 hours of installation.

HMS supplies and installs a wide variety of jointing systems for bridges and roads throughout Australia. For your next bridge project contact info@hmscivils.com or visit www.hmscivils.com.

Evolution was invited to participate in a National Conference held in Sydney last year, to share experiences with use of Truck and Trailer Type Crash Attenuators (TMA’s) that included representatives from Road Authorities from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

The meeting was designed to consider proposals for National TMA Guidelines which would facilitate a standard approach in the specification and use of TMA’s in Australia.

With a spate of recent TMA crashes involving both vehicles and trucks, the new Guidelines will seek to increase TMA truck weights with additional safety accessories.

In anticipation of the new requirements, Evolution has recently invested in new 15 tonne GVM TMA’s that include colour Visual Messaging Boards and C Class Arrow Boards that automatically raise and lower  with the crash attenuator. The new TMA’s have already been specified by Roads and Maritime Services in NSW for Freeway works and will soon be mandated in other states.

The Evolution training business grew from an insightful decision taken years ago by founders David Schramm and Peter Stahlhut. It was felt that training ought to be a core component of the business, which should not be outsourced. Evolution needed to control the content and delivery of all training given to its staff and created its own Registered Training Organization (RTO), now branded “Evolution Training”.

Evolution Training recently recruited a General Manager, Craig Moss, to further develop and grow the training business, extending the core traffic and safety training available to a range of civil construction programs including Road and Bridge construction and maintenance. Evolution has expressed that the company is very fortunate to be able to recruit a person of Craig’s caliber, with 27 years’ experience and a wealth of knowledge from previous roles including being Principal Manager of Training and Development with the Department of Main Roads in Queensland.

Craig brings new skills and training capability to the business and he has recruited some highly experienced and respected training staff that Evolution are excited to welcome to the team: Wayne Laundy, Kevin Lucke, Rob Bulluss, supported by Karen Hurworth, as Program Coordinator. Based out of their new training facilities at Virginia, Queensland, Evolution has an increased capacity for training courses, which are conducted throughout the eastern states.

For all your training requirements, please contact Evolution Training at: training@evolutiontraining.edu.au or call us on 07 3623 6461.

Evolution traffic controller, John Stubbin, was recently recognised for his outstanding contribution to community relations on the $ 2 Billion Origin Alliance project in Brisbane, Queensland.

On his way home, John witnessed a serious car accident and immediately positioned his traffic control vehicle behind the accident scene to help warn approaching motorists and protect the vehicles involved.

With young children in the accident vehicles, John entertained the children and gave them water, chips and sweets while recovery operations were in full swing. His actions helped calm the children, assisted emergency services and eased the entire recovery crew.

John was recognised by the Origin Alliance Project Team, represented by Project Manager Mick O’Dwyer and the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, for his outstanding contribution to community relations and was recognised with a gift voucher and formal presentation.

Welcome to our first edition of The Evolution Way – our new e-newsletter containing regular updates on all the happenings at Evolution. We’d like to keep you informed about our projects, achievements and developments and trust this will be of interest to our customers and staff alike.

Over recent months, we have spent time with our team to identify the unique characteristics that have made Evolution Road Maintenance Group the benchmark in Traffic Management, Bridge Joint Repairs, Graffiti Removal and related Industry Training. We have articulated our foundations of success as “the way we do business” and we’re proud to call it “The Evolution Way”:

• Safety… every job, every day
• Planning… plan by the book, work by the book
• Integrity… say what we mean, do what we say
• Service… proud to service our clients
• Equipment… reliable and safe

Recently there has been an incident in Victoria at a worksite involving reversing plant. The incident resulted in the death of a traffic controller. The death did not involve an Evolution employee. Our sympathies go out to our traffic control colleagues affected by this incident. This incident emphasizes the ‘high risk’ nature of on-site reversing activities at worksites and could have been prevented. The following control measures are to be implemented immediately at all work sites:

• Site Specific risk assessments for the intended use of mobile plant on site must be undertaken.
• The use of dedicated spotters and/or exclusion zones must be considered where reversing movements are likely to occur when undertaking activities.
• Dedicated spotter/s must have effective communication with the plant operator/driver (as a minimum, UHF two-way radio communication).
• Dedicated spotters must not perform any other task or activity while undertaking spotter duties.
• Ensure all workers on site are aware of and understand the required work methods and controls.
• Continually monitor and review critical ‘high risk’ work areas and activities.
• Discuss the above information with other workers on the worksite.
• Use stop-think-go at all times. ‘Safety starts with me’.
• When you are required to reverse your Evolution vehicle at any time apply the above measures. If you do not have a person to act as a spotter, get out of the vehicle and check for any possible obstructions behind the vehicle before reversing.
• If you are unsure of the above instruction contact your Operations Manager / Supervisor or the Safety Manager for advice.

When conducting traffic control duties at worksites where a lane has been closed, do not stand in the centre of the lane.

• Always stand on the shoulder or near the delineation (line of traffic cones).
• Never assume that drivers or operators of plant can see you, make eye contact where possible at all times.
• Keep a safety zone between yourself and any plant, vehicles or mobile equipment in case the driver or operator moves unexpectedly or changes direction.
• Keep a safe distance from any swinging or moving parts of any vehicles, machinery or mobile plant.
• Ensure you are outside the range of movement of any vehicle, machinery or mobile plant.
• Do not stand or work behind reversing vehicles e.g. excavators and bob cats.
• Keep a safe distance from any excavation or construction activity.

It is vitally important that you do not become distracted when conducting traffic control duties near operating plant, vehicles or mobile equipment. The use of mobile phones, IPods or any other device that may distract your attention from plant movements at the work site is strictly prohibited. If you are required to communicate on a two-way radio, ensure that you are not in the vicinity of plant, vehicles or mobile equipment and not at risk of contact.

David Schramm
Executive Director
Evolution Road Maintenance Group

For more information on this incident, please visit http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/worker-killed-by-street-sweeper/story-fn7x8me2-1226210740610

Evolution Traffic Control achieved another accolade in this year’s Queensland 400 Gala Awards, rising from No. 20 to No. 5 – an amazing result. The Q400s recognise fast growing, successful companies in Queensland and it is always an honour to receive this kind of industry recognition for what our company has worked hard to achieve.

Following a thorough application process, final rankings were unveiled at a masquerade-themed dinner held at the Brisbane Sofitel on November 25. General Manager, Troy Stahlhut, along with Group CEO Paul Warman and CFO Kevin Chin, attended the evening. Everyone was over the moon to hear the announcement of Evolution ranking 5^th amongst the largest private companies in Queensland..

“This is a monumental achievement for all and proves that all our hard work over the past 7 years has certainly made an impact not just within the industry, but on the whole Queensland business sector”, Troy Stahlhut said after the awards.

While it is very satisfying to achieve this industry acknowledgement as a company, it also serves as recognition to our staff for all their hard work and effort. Their continued commitment and dedication in the very tough and dangerous field of traffic control is to be commended. Evolution recognises this and is dedicated to supporting our staff with training and development, our aim being to continually seek ways to improve our systems and working environments no matter where they are.

It has certainly been an exciting year for the company and Evolution would like to congratulate all our wonderful staff for this well-deserved achievement. The growth and development the company has achieved is testament to the contributions they make every day.

In his thanks to the team, Troy Stahlhut added that “We have certainly achieved a lot of great things and the credit really goes to all staff from every single traffic controller and operations staff, to the support that our administration team provides. Well done!”

Evolution Road Maintenance Group was so happy to offer our sponsorship support for the Xstrata Cycle for SMILE, an amazing charity event raising money for the SMILE Foundation. Over 80 challenging days, six everyday Australians undertook a 15,700km circuit around the country and through their dedication and continuous effort, raised an incredible $1.2 million, which will go towards helping families whose children suffer from rare diseases, as well as much needed funds for vital research into rare medical conditions.

The journey began in Sydney and took the team anticlockwise around mainland Australia, cycling more than five times the distance of the Tour de France. They challenged themselves to their physical and mental limits, but received huge support from people all around the country. They even met some Evolution road crews along the way!

September 17^th marked the Homecoming event of this amazing endeavour, which saw the team cycle into Centennial Park, Sydney, cheered on by hundreds of supporters. One very high profile supporter, Leader of the Opposition The Hon Tony Abbott MP, even rode in with the team and commended them on their huge efforts.

Evolution would like to again congratulate the dedicated team on their amazing achievement – we think they deserve a well-earned break and some relaxing time with family and friends. And it’s not too late to offer your support – if you’d like to make a donation and make a difference, visit the SMILE Foundation’s website:

www.smilefoundation.com.au