Global Utilities

La Trobe University
Department of Civil Engineering and Physical Sciences

Graduates 2007

Ben Mitchell - Graduate Engineer, Sinclair Knight Merz, Perth

“Upon graduating in November 2006 I moved to Perth, Western Australia to take up a position as a Design Engineer with Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), in their Water and Environment group.

“In this position I am currently working as a part of PPS Partnership - a joint venture company formed by Transfield Services and Sinclair Knight Merz for the purpose of carrying out an ongoing capital works program for the WA Water Corporation. PPS is an acronym for Pipes and Pump Stations, and hence most of our projects involve the design and construction of pipelines and pump stations. Some of the design work is kept in-house at PPS, and some is tendered out to other consultants, depending upon the size of the project.

“The general duties I am required to complete are

  • Desktop audit reports for new projects to identify potential risks, constraints, issues early on.
  • Coordinating required studies (survey, geotechnical, heritage, etc) and assisting in those studies in the field where possible.
  • Producing required approval documentation for assessment by statutory authorities.
  • Synthesis of all available existing information (Water Corporation operational requirements, existing services, survey, geotechnical and groundwater, environmental issues, Aboriginal and European heritage, statutory authority requirements, etc).
  • Development of a design based upon this information, which is documented in design drawings and reports.
  • Preparation of tender documentation, such as technical specifications and schedules.
  • Technical evaluation of tender submissions.
  • Preparation of design briefs for projects being tendered out to other consultants.

“Some of the projects I have been involved with are as:

  • Design of a DN800 Mild Steel Cement Lined (MSCL) water distribution main within the northern Perth locality of Madeley.
  • Design of approximately 2km of DN150/250 mPVC water reticulation mains within Toodyay.
  • Assisting in design management for a DN710 PE water distribution main, to be directionally drilled underneath a river in Australind.
  • Assisting in design management for the replacement of two tank roofs for water supply tanks in York and Cadoux.

“Future projects that I am beginning to be involved in are:

  • Conceptual design of a soakage system for a main stormwater drain within Subiaco.
  • Design of approximately 11km of DN800 MSCL water distribution main as replacement for two sections of the Mundaring-Kalgoorlie pipeline at Boondi and Koorarawalyee, due to pump station upgrades.

“I'm really enjoying my time working for PPS Partnership. As can be seen from what I have listed above, I'm being exposed to a diverse range of projects and tasks, which ensures that work is never mundane. I'm in the unique and fortunate situation in that I'm working for a consultancy, but able to follow a project through to completion because we are also managing the construction phase.

“I highly recommend the La Trobe Civil Engineering course. The only limitation on where it can take you upon graduation is your own vision about what you wish to achieve in your professional career.