36 Murray Road Nth, Welshpool, Perth Western Australia 6106
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Perfect For The Pilbara

Perfect For The Pilbara

Komatsu Front Loader

KEE Group Northern Command (KGNC) took delivery of a brand new WA500 loader for a valued client operating in Finucane Island, Port Hedland. The rock bucket attachment is perfect for the Pilbara, with a specifically designed V-shape built for heavy duty iron-ore production.

The loader has an engine power of 263 kW/ 353 HP, operating weight of 37,415kg and bucket capacity of 6.4m3.

We love being able to supply new machines to our valued clients. If you should require a front loader or need a plant machine with a specific attachment, such as the latest rock bucket, contact our hire team on 6401 8500 or email hire@keegroup.com.au 

For more information on the specifications of the WA500, go to:

https://www.komatsu.eu/en/product-archive/wheel-loaders/wa500-7

 

4 Ways to Improve Pavement Preservation in Local Roads

surfacing

One of the most important parts of any town or community is to have good quality local roads. While it’s not something that we may often think about, it’s one of the parts of life that goes unnoticed until something goes wrong. Maintaining and preserving pavements and local roads is high on the list of priorities for any council. Microcracking and potholes can easily develop if roads are left unchecked and untreated for long periods.

Today, we are going to discuss ways on how to improve pavement preservation on local roads.

Here’s what you need to know:

Enrichment

This process involves the injection of polymers into the existing asphalt to rejuvenate the surface and make it last longer. The polymers help extend the life of the asphalt and keep it in a better condition for a longer time.

The process is conducted by companies that have a lot of experience and know-how. A road grader usually applies the enriched layer, which helps teal up the cracks and prevents water from penetrating the road.

The treatment is also effective in maintaining the flexibility of the asphalt so that the roads can sustain a lot of heavy traffic. These treatments are great for preventing expensive damage to the pavement and other infrastructure.

Rejuvenation

This process is similar to the enrichment process, except it is more suitable for roads that have the old asphalt removed and replaced. The process involves sealing the road before the new one is laid down.

The process is usually carried out by a road grader followed by a paving machine that applies the sealer and the new asphalt layer.

While rejuvenation is a great process, it is not recommended for all roads. For example, if you are looking to fix small cracks, it is a waste of time and money. Therefore, it is recommended for roads that require complete renewal. Rejuvenation is excellent for roads that have high traffic levels.

Polymer Modified Asphalt

This is one of the best ways to preserve local roads. It involves the use of polymer-modified asphalt and is typically a sealant. It is applied directly to the road’s surface to fill the cracks and holes.

The polymer is often designed to maintain the flexibility of the asphalt. With this, the roads can better handle the heavy traffic and last much longer. Polymer modified asphalt is easy to apply and maintain.

Micro-Surfacing

Micro-Surfacing is a process that many councils and road departments are using. This process is great for roads experiencing a lot of cracking and potholes. Micro-surfacing involves the removal of all layers of the existing road, including the base.

The application of a new seal follows this. After this, another layer of asphalt is applied on top of the old one. You must find a professional company to carry out the process.

With the right company, microsurfacing is a great way to prolong the life of local roads.

The Bottom Line

Local roads are the backbone of communities. They are used by many people every day, which is why it’s important to keep them in the best condition possible. While it can be a daunting process, it is essential to find the right company to do the job.

The best companies will have the experience, equipment, and training to keep your local roads in good condition. They can offer a variety of services. These include rejuvenation, polymer modification, and micro surfacing. 

Pictured: Chipping Road, Floreat WA, completed by KEE Surfacing crew lead by Reggie Bidois.

If you are interested in high-quality road re-surfacing, contact KEE Surfacing today. We have four divisions: KEE Asphalt, KEE Profiling, KEE Spray Seal and KEE Basecourse paving. If you are a local shire that requires machinery to surface your local roads, we have machinery for hire in Perth, Albany, and Port Hedland and all across Australia. Here at KEE Group, we can supply you with our equipment as dry hire or fully wet hire. You can count on us to provide you with effective support and services. Contact us at +61 8 6401 8500, and let’s discuss your project today!

For more information on pavement preservation, go to:

https://austroads.com.au/latest-news/justifying-road-pavement-preservation-and-renewal

Food Fit for a FIFOODY

mechanic

Would you be able to make fast, delicious dinners in a FIFO kitchen after a hard day’s work in a sweltering hot workshop? Many FIFO’s take the easier option- to eat out or grab a take-away.

But what if, like our KEE Group Northern Command (KGNC) mechanic Norman Mayor (pictured), you don’t like fast food?

The only option left for our Zimbabwe-born ‘FIFO-ODY’ was to learn how to cook for himself!

“I learned through trial and error, from experimenting and from my need to eat healthily,” he said.

Norman came up to Port Hedland in 2018. With the temperatures often hitting 45 degrees, a greasy burger and fried chips on the menu can be hard to look forward to.

“My top tip for FIFO workers would be to be prepared and batch-cook.”

After an exhausting day in the heat, not many people would want to be standing by a stove, so Norman recommends making a big pot of food on your day off and spooning dinner-size portions into 7-8 containers ready to freeze. This not only allows the meals to marinade, it also means that there is very little to do at the end of the day. Just heat the pre-made meal, crack open a beer and put your feet up!

“My favourite dish is Curried Chicken. I’ve discovered that the harder it is to get to a piece of the meat the tastier it will be, which is why I choose chicken legs over breast meat every time.”

Norm’s Tasty Ginger Chicken

Ingredients:

Ginger
Garlic
Fresh coriander,
Curry powder
Turmeric
Garam Masala
Cumin
Yoghurt
Onion
Eggplant
Chicken Drumsticks

Preparation:

Cut the chicken off of the drumsticks
Mix chicken with yoghurt, garam masala, curry powder, cumin and turmeric and let it marinade.
Finely chop x1 onion
Finely chop x5 garlic cloves
Grate the ginger
Put x1 teaspoon of oil in a pot and warm
Put onions and garlic in pot and stir, when onions are browned, add the chicken and ginger.

Once the chicken is cooked, put a little water and then the eggplant into the pot.
When the eggplant is softened put fresh coriander in and let it simmer for about 7 minutes.

Enjoy!

Exciting New Project to Transform Waterfront

Spoilbank

Port Hedland has an exciting new project underway that will completely transform the town’s waterfront into an attractive and popular destination for locals and visitors. 

KEE Group Northern Command (KGNC) has been supporting the delivery of the highly anticipated Spoilbank Marina project, by supplying necessary machinery and equipment to the site.

“We are very pleased to be supporting such a transformational project, both for the people of the town and the Port Authorities,” said KEE Director, Clayton Spiers. “We have been working in conjunction with MGN Civil who contacted us at the start of the project when they were looking for good machines and 24/7 mechanical support. MGN Civil was awarded the contract and has employed local contractors, operators and drivers to assist with the enormous project.”

The new Spoilbank Marina will create a vibrant new amenity for the entire Port Hedland community to enjoy. Additionally, it will alleviate the demand for existing boat launching facilities and improve access and safety for recreational boaters. 

 “Todd has been great to deal with. He sourced the right equipment for the job and has given excellent communication throughout”, MGN Civil -Construction Manager Mark Jeffery said of KGNC’s Branch Manager, Todd Fuller. “Anytime we’ve had a small issue with a machine, Todd has sent a mechanic straight away so we can quickly get on with the project. I would highly recommend KEE”.

What are the features of the Spoilbank Marina? 

  • A four-lane boat ramp
  • 21 boat-pen marina with capacity to expand to 80 pens in the future
  • Separate entrance channel to the main shipping channel
  • Trailer parking for up to 200 vehicles
  • Maintenance hardstand
  • Publicly accessible breakwaters with pedestrian path
  • Public recreation and event space and public amenities
  • Public fishing jetty
  • Water feature
  • Shade structures at swimming beach
  • Waterfront promenade to reflect the Yintha Kariyarra creation serpent story
  • Public art and a cultural gathering space

How will the project benefit Hedland?

  • Provides sheltered anchorage and meets current future demand for boat pens
  • Doubles the current number of boat ramps, alleviating demand on existing boat launching facilities
  • Provides vessels with safer access to deep water
  • Improves social and recreational community amenities
  • Supports the future of the West End as a vibrant, historic arts and cultural hub
  • Delivers the first stage of Marina and Waterfront Masterplan to attract and retain residents and built a vibrant community offering a fantastic lifestyle

The Spoilbank Marina project is being funded by the State Government, Town of Port Hedland and BHP. 

Once the construction is complete, Pilbara Ports Authority will own and operate the marina The marina is expected to be completed by late 2022 and to be operational by 2023.

www.mgncivil.com.au

www.linkedin.com/company/mgn-civil

www.facebook.com/MGNCIVIL

www.pilbaraports.com.au/business-and-trade/current-projects/port-hedland-spoilbank-marina

We Exist Today as a Dominant Force Because of Highly Effective Partners

Double drums

KEE Group was founded by brothers Clayton and Damon Spiers in 2008. The brothers have a rich background in the transport industry with over 20 years of experience operating low-loaders. This extensive background has inspired them to focus on solving problems for the civil services industry in innovative ways, as thought-leaders and investors in people.

Director Damon Spiers said; “When we think about the people important to KEE, it’s hard to do so without thinking about our partners who have helped us to grow.

When we first started KEE Group, my brother Clayton and I had a small financier handling all our work. As we grew bigger they began to struggle and it became clear we needed someone who had the firepower to meet our requirements. That’s when Ledge Finance came along.

The relationship between KEE Group and Ledge has been mutually beneficial. We’ve grown and they’ve grown with us. They have made us a priority from the very beginning. When we first started out we weren’t known in the marketplace and it was a lot harder to get money. They did a good job securing facilities. They do a lot of troubleshooting and a lot of the hard leg-work that needs to happen when requiring finance facilities.

KEE exists to look after its employees and to serve the industry. The only way to lead the industry is to offer a value proposition, with no equal anywhere in Australia. We are the most highly diversified company, housing Transport, Hire, Surfacing and Fuel all under one roof. We are unique and extraordinarily effective and with the help of business partners, we can offer a comprehensive range of services. We exist today as a dominant force because of great friends and highly effective partners, like Ledge.

To find out more visit the Ledge website: www.ledge.com.au

 

Would You Know How to Stay Safe After a Car-Crash in a Road Tunnel?

Would you know what to do if you were involved in a car crash driving through a road tunnel?

This morning, that’s exactly what had happened to an unfortunate driver on his way to work. With a smashed bonnet and with no way for others to help him safely, it made me think, do all road-users know how to stay safe in that situation?

We all read about the tragic story of the 21-year-old man who died after being struck by a car while changing a tyre on the busy Mitchell Freeway. He was a passenger in a ride-share, but the kind-hearted young man’s instinct was to get out of the car and help his Ola driver. He was rushed with critical injuries to Royal Perth Hospital but tragically died the same day.

If something goes wrong with your car, it is perhaps a natural reaction to get out and try to fix the problem yourself, or if you are in a crash, there would be a strong urge to get out of the vehicle.

However, this is not the recommendation of Main Roads.

If you are involved in a crash or break-down on a freeway or metropolitan major road, Luke Van Den Hoek from Main Roads recommends to: 

  1. Make every effort to drive your vehicle to a safe location nearby, if possible.
  2. Remain in your vehicle, if safe to do so, with a seat belt and hazard lights on.
  3. If you must exit your vehicle, stand clear of traffic, ideally behind a barrier – never try to cross the road or stand between vehicles to exchange driver information.
  4. Call emergency services on 000, or your roadside assistance provider, if required.
  5. Call Main Roads on 138 138 for further advice.

Fortunately, many roads in WA have monitored CCTV, so the chances are that if you are in an incident, your car will be seen and reported to the emergency services.

What should I do if I break down in the Northbridge Tunnel?

There are no emergency lanes inside the Northbridge Tunnel. If you break down, stay inside your vehicle and wait for instructions via your radio, the PA, or Variable Messaging System in the tunnel. 

Tunnel operators monitor the tunnel 24 hours a day and will call for emergency services if required. They will also send for the Incident Response Service to move your vehicle to a safe location. 

Who will tow my vehicle?

Towing assistance applies to broken-down vehicles including accident-damaged vehicles on freeways and major metropolitan roads if determined necessary.

Main Roads assesses each incident on a case-by-case basis. In the event, Main Roads Control Room Operators, who monitor the Main Roads network 24/7, determine a broken-down vehicle is obstructing traffic or in a hazardous location, Main Roads may deploy a tow truck or an Incident Response Service vehicle to assist and relocate the vehicle to the closest safe location to ensure safety for all road users. 

Main Roads recommends private roadside assistance providers such as RAC or tow truck services be contacted if possible, as the Agency may not be able to arrange attendance at every incident.

KEE Group works alongside Main Roads to keep our community safe. Remember to be kind to other road-users, drive safely, never drink and drive and always stay within the speed limits. We want everyone to get home to their families safely every day.

IMAGE © Katharyn Quinn 2021

Our people are our greatest asset

KEE Group are growing fast and we are often looking for the right people to help us make it happen. If you would like to join our team and share in the excitement, get in touch today!

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