Rail visit a timely boost for Whyalla operations
Industry representative body gains valuable insights
The Whyalla Steelworks proudly hosted a delegation from the Australasian Rail Association (ARA) recently in what was a constructive and timely visit for the OneSteel operations.
OneSteel Manufacturing Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (OneSteel) rail plant continues its strong production output and upward trajectory in dispatching and delivering quality rail.
OneSteel Head of Sales & Marketing, Ashleigh Williams said ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie and General Manager Natalie Currey were given valuable insights into OneSteel’s rail and steelmaking operations including a tour of the rail hardening plant.
It was a fantastic experience and great to see the South Australian and Federal governments supporting OneSteel to continue supporting the rail industry
ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie
The Whyalla Steelworks is the only producer of long rail products in Australia.
“Our local industry is superbly represented by the Australasian Rail Association, one of the best industry advocacy organisations in the world,” Ashleigh said.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support from the ARA … its advocacy for Australian manufacturing is critical for a sustainable future at the Whyalla Steelworks.”
Complementing an extensive tour of the steelworks, discussions were held on the role of domestic manufacturing to strengthen sovereign capability, support local content and advance low-carbon steel production to help meet Australia’s net zero ambitions.
“I believe insights from the visit will help inform ARA’s ongoing advocacy for sustainable manufacturing and supply chain capability across the rail industry,” Ashleigh said.
Australia has one of the largest active rail networks in the world.
We are grateful for the ongoing support from the ARA … its advocacy for Australian manufacturing is critical for a sustainable future at the Whyalla Steelworks.
OneSteel Head of Sales & Marketing, Ashleigh Williams
To maintain and build this network, the ARA delegation was shown how a five-tonne rectangular steel bloom is turned into hundreds of metres of high-quality steel rail as it is heated to more than 1500 degrees and passed through precision rollers.
“It was a fantastic experience and great to see the South Australian and Federal governments supporting OneSteel to continue supporting the rail industry,” Caroline Wilkie said.
“It is critical we maintain sovereign capability for something as critical as our rail tracks.”
Caroline Wilkie was impressed with the passion and dedication of everyone they came across at the steelworks and in the rail hardening plant.
“The dedication of the people and the care they have for each other, their work and the community was so impressive,” Caroline said.
“This is an organisation going through significant transition but with big and achievable plans for supporting regional jobs and facilitating local manufacturing sovereignty.”
The ARA is the peak body for the rail sector in Australia and New Zealand and advocate for more than 230 member organisations across the rail industry.
Main picture and top right: Caroline Wilkie and Natalie Currey. Above right: Caroline Wilkie during the tour of the Rail Plant. Below: Daniel Coghlan, Teagan Venning, Ashleigh Williams, Mark Bubicich, Noel Goldworthy from OneSteel with Caroline Wilkie (ARA), Sebastian Hams (Administrators KordaMentha), Georgia Jones (OneSteel) and Natalie Currey (ARA).
