Allstone Quarries
TIM BIRD, Managing Director of Allstone Quarries (ASQ) reports on the diversity of the business that enables products to be provided throughout Victoria.
The ASQ business was established in 1970 in Castlemaine, Victoria initially trading as G&L Bird Contracting and then Bird Brothers. The main operation of the business was the hiring of backhoes and tip trucks, specialising in the installation and maintenance of water mains and underground power lines for the State Rivers and SEC as well as general hire for such things as demolition, house site preparation and septic tank installation.
In the mid 1980s the business focus moved into mobile quarrying, with portable crushing equipment travelling throughout Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales contracting for private quarries as well as local, state and federal jobs.
This involved transporting portable crushing and screening equipment to site and producing various grades of construction materials to suit the customer’s requirements. The variety of the
quarries and various materials encountered during this time has given us a great understanding of all types of quarry operations. During this time the company traded as Bird’s Mobile Crushing.
SITE PHOTO: Allstone Quarries – Castlemaine
In 1999 the company was issued with a work authority to commence quarrying operations at its own site, east of Newbridge. The permanent quarry site was established to service the local market of Central Victoria and at the same time the Eaglehawk site in Alexandra Street was acquired to develop the construction and demolition waste recycling side of the business.
With these major changes and direction of the business, we felt that it was time to re-brand the business and thus Allstone Quarries Pty Ltd was formed.
Allstone Quarries (ASQ) today is a proud employer of over 100 staff working across seven sites within our organisation. Being a locally owned, family operated business we aim to foster a family
friendly workplace and are committed to the health and wellbeing of our staff and working environment.
ASQ provides products, expertise and solutions for a wide range of domestic, commercial and industrial projects. We pride ourselves on offering quality products and expert advice, both locally and throughout Victoria.
Today the business has developed to encompass four integrated divisions;
Quarries, Premix Concrete, Precast Concrete and Garden & Landscape Supplies.
SITE PHOTO: Allstone Quarries – Premix
This diversity enables us to provide products, expertise and solutions for a wide range of domestic, commercial and industrial projects, both locally and throughout Victoria.
We cater for individuals, small businesses and commercial enterprise, right through to large-scale projects for local councils, state government and civil contractors.
As each job is different, we tailor our services to each individual request. From domestic paths and garden beds right through to full scale highway construction and drainage solutions.
SITE PHOTO: Allstone Quarries – Precast
Allstone Quarries, has been an active member of the CMPA since the association’s inception in 2000. The CMPA has been essential in supporting our business throughout the past 17 years, through networking with like minded members and associates, providing relevant training resources and refernce documents. It is comforting to know that the CMPA has our bes interests at heart when dealing with our regulators and policy makers as well as our politicians.
Recently our Newbridge quarry has undergone a workplan variation. This has enabled us to utilise the total resource that is available within our Work Authority and has formalised the rehabilitation of the site allowing us to progressively rehabilitate our terminal faces as we quarry out the basalt.
Our Castlemaine quarry is now exhausted of resource (tertiary gravel). However, we have recently had a planning permit issued to develop this site into an industrial estate which is a perfect end use, fitting well within its surrounds of the area. We are excited to see this redevelopment through and plan for this to be a great example of the end use of a quarry in our region.
60 Seconds with a voting member . . .
What is your name?
Kelvin Nicholson
Who do you work for?
Allstone Quarries
How many years have you been involved in the Industry?
28 years
What are your hopes for the industry?
For the industry to work with VicRoads on some of the unachievable specifications.
What is your role at the company?
Quarry Manager
What is on the radar for 2016-17?
We will be:
• Introducing our new Workplace Health and Safety Management System.
• Making improvements to our Traffic Management Plan.
• Continuing with rehabilitation.
•Planning the main entrance to our quarry, which has been on the drawing board for quite some years
What do you love about your work?
Working for a privately owned company, where the owners have a hands-on approach, understand the issues that can arise and are always willing to offer
their support where required.
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