The season got off to a shaky start with a few flight delays but we made it to the icy coast safely.
With no time to waste we got into clearing snow from around the wintery station, beginning with areas destined to be used for projects and maintenance.
Access paths for expeditioners to get to work safely were first on the hit list with a few blizz tails stopping (or at least slowing down) the intrepid trades teams from getting to work.
Crane pads for projects came second, to ensure no delays from our side if projects were required to start early.
With those areas sorted, we needed to move onto the quarry. The quarry being where most containers on station are stored, and being nearly the lowest point, it was completely buried by snow. Moving the containers quickly moved up on the priority list as a few held equipment required by the summer trades.
Now vehicles with wheels don’t behave well in the snow, and seeing as Casey is on a snowy hillside, clearing roads around station took priority next. We began with the biggest of the internal roads that leads to the CUB (Casey Utilities Building), which also services remediation and the quarry. Within a few hours this mini monster was subdued, and it was business as usual for the wheeled machinery on site.
We lost one plantie (Rod) early in the season due to the fires back near his home. We were pleased to see him back on station with his home still intact and family safe.
To tackle the big beast of Wharf Road we enlisted the help of an old hand on station who is basically part of the furniture, Johan the great! With the mighty Macca away doing a cargo run to Wilkins, and new blood Alex holding down the fort around station prepping containers, we started on Wharf Road. Within one productive day we had the road pretty much beaten, a great partnership between remediation and planties. Day two of Wharf Road saw Rod return from the mainland and into the excavators seat and with another good day, finishing touches of the road, drain, and surrounding areas were completed including a nice smooth track for the fuel transfer being conducted in the days to come.
Over the coming weeks, the planties will be getting a head start on RTA (Return to Australia) container weighing, support for tank cleaning and general movements around station. A great team effort by all plantie members and our honorary plantie Johan. Thanks to the remediation team for letting him come out and play!
Nigel
