DT Infrastructure: Thriving no matter the conditions

DT Infrastructure (DTI) is continuing to grow its presence in Western Australia and has been undertaking some impressive work.

In early March 2024, DTI announced its selection to construct a rail siding facility for CBH Group in Konnongorring. The new siding will help transform the site from being a predominately road transport site to a rail and road site, taking trucks off the road.

In July 2024, a 10-year $1.6 billion contract was awarded to an Alstom and DTI alliance to design, supply, construct, install and maintain Perth’s High-Capacity Signalling (HCS) project in conjunction with WA’s Public Transport Authority.

HCS will replace and upgrade the signalling and train control systems on Perth’s rail network, allowing more trains to run more often and ultimately increasing capacity by 40 per cent.

The company also supports the state by supporting the industries that are major contributors to its economy, providing re-rail and maintenance services across major networks.

The scope of these campaigns includes deconstruction and replacement of track, turnouts, and rail crossings, with necessary ground formation treatment to ensure efficient rail operations in the future.

Helping lead the team in the region is project manager Kate James, who is making the transition to the role of operations manager. Having made the move over from the chilly United Kingdom to the stifling hot Pilbara, James is relishing her time in the region.

With a background in track maintenance and construction, and time as a track designer, she has the experience required to thrive in the Pilbara.

“I was looking for a new challenge and an email came through from a recruiter for a role in the Pilbara. I thought I would just send off my CV and see what happens,” she said.

Arriving in Australia, James fell in love with the region and decided she wanted to call it home. She found a role with Downer before its infrastructure division became DT Infrastructure.

DTI in the Pilbara

James explained that DTI is supporting the mining companies operating out of the Pilbara not only in rail, but also in civil construction and installation.

“Before we became DTI, we were very much focused on rail, but now we have expanded into civil construction,” she said.

“We provide track construction knowledge in this region, but the scope of our work depends on where each company is in their individual journey.”

James said that the Pilbara does pose a number of unique challenges that many may not expect.

“In the hot temperatures the track is more likely to experience a misalignment or buckle, which can be costly for the companies operating here if it causes a derailment.

“However, managing the track asset with the swing in temperatures in winter, when it is very cold overnight, also affects how the track reacts if not correctly destressed.

“This is just one of the ways we support our clients,” she said.

“Some of the terrain we are working on can be quite challenging and we have a lot to consider in the work we are doing.”

James explained that when working in the Pilbara, DTI must also consider heritage needs of a region, working closely with local Indigenous groups.

“We always are mindful to leave the area either better or the same as how we found it,” she said.

“It is so important that we are considerate of our working areas. We are representing these companies, and we must take pride in what we are doing.”

Working with partners

James said DTI’s role in the Pilbara is supporting the local industry so they can thrive in the region – and their product gets from pit to port as quickly and safely as possible.

“I think for us, it is all about being flexible and available,” she said.

“It is all about having a ‘can-do’ attitude and making sure they understand that we will find a way to make this work.

“This is where our work will be in the next few years – in sustaining capital, renewals, track construction and being flexible with maintenance.”

With DTI’s growing presence in renewable energy, particularly solar, James believes there is a role for DTI to assist mining companies in the Pilbara as they continue to improve their sustainability practices.

“We need to be on board for that journey as a partner,” she said. “For example, on the site we are on now, we used a Pilbara-based subcontractor to provide our own office, which is fully solar powered. It has enough power for six monitors, a fridge and an air conditioner – we want to be a part of the decarbonisation journey.”

After more than two years in the Pilbara, James is well established in the region and has had a similar team throughout her journey.

“I am very proud of my team up here,” she said. “We have an excellent safety record and have won awards for being injury free for 365 days.

“I am very proud of their professionalism and their hard work.”

James spoke about the organisation’s next goals in the Pilbara.

“We want to expand up here and build our brand to be the best that we can, offering a safe and productive service for our clients,” she said.

“There is something about this place. You either love it or you hate it, and I absolutely love it, and the team does as well.

“We want to continue supporting it.”