Thiess Hochtief Alstom Group Awarded Epping – Chatswood Rail Contract

Issue Date:  26 June 2002
Issued By:  Leighton Holdings Limited

The Company Announcements Office
The Australian Stock Exchange Limited
Level 4
20 Bridge Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Dear Sir

Re: Thiess Hochtief Alstom Group Awarded Epping – Chatswood Rail Contract

Please find attached a copy of a media release to be issued today by Thiess Pty Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leighton Holdings Limited.

Yours faithfully,


A.J. MOIR
Company Secretary

Thiess Hochtief Alstom Group Awarded Australia’s Largest Single Publicly Funded Infrastructure Contract

Issue Date: 26 June 2002
Issued by: Thiess Pty Ltd

It was announced today Thiess Hochtief Alstom Group is preferred tenderer for the largest single publicly funded infrastructure contract in Australia – the Epping to Chatswood component of the Parramatta Rail Link. The contract has a value of over $850 million.

Thiess Executive General Manager NSW/ACT/VIC, Mr David Saxelby said Thiess has a proud history in NSW ever since Thiess’ involvement with the Snowy Mountains Scheme. He is very pleased Thiess, and its joint venture partner Hochtief, have been chosen to play such a significant role in delivering rail infrastructure in NSW.

“This project will form a major component of Sydney’s public transport rail network and we are delighted the strength of our local and international based Group has been recognised by the NSW Government,” said Mr Saxelby.

“The Thiess Hochtief Alstom Group combines superior technical expertise, rigorous management structures, and an unsurpassed involvement in rail infrastructure in Australia,” Mr Saxelby continued.

Hochtief is one of the world’s leading tunneling contractors. Hochtief’s International Tunnel Manager, Ulrich Wadepohl, said Thiess and Hochtief had provided an innovative technical solution that focused on safety, environmental management and community relations.

“I believe our success was due to having the best available tunneling expertise and the same commitment as our client to sound management of design, construction, safety and quality, and to minimizing environmental and community impacts,” he said.

The Thiess Hochtief Alstom Group will be responsible for the design and construction of two tunnels each 13km long and four stations, and the design, construction and commissioning of track, signal, and communication works for each of the tunnels from Chatswood to Epping, to deliver a safe fully operational rail system.

Thiess and Alstom have a successful history of working together on infrastructure projects including the recently awarded $200 million Regional Fast Rail Project in Victoria.  

Detailed design of the new rail link will commence immediately, construction will start in October this year, and completion of our works is expected in 2007.

Thiess Pty Ltd is Australia’s largest engineering and services company with current work in hand of $4.2 billion.

Ends

For further information contact:
David Saxelby    
Thiess Pty Ltd    
Executive General Manager NSW/ACT/VIC    
Tel   (02) 9332 9444      
Mob 0414 750 750

Kylie Ashenbrenner
Thiess Pty Ltd
Community and Public Affairs Manager
Tel   (02) 9332 9451
Mob 0417 330 800