QR Trainee Driver positions

Graham4405 · Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:41 pm

Wombat1965 · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:40 am

Expost is right about the "looking like queen street" thing...

Sure will be getting crowded out here soon...there was the 12 of my class started here, now the last batch of 12 has just gone back to Rocky, and there is apparently another 12 soon...then more later in the year or early next year?

Seeing as how a land owner in Bluff has just recently had a 10 or 12 unit housing development knocked back by the new amalgamated council because they say the town infrastructure won't handle that many extra houses (it's apprently at the limit of how many people can live here now), and the railway quarters aren't that big, some of us are starting to wonder where they are going to put everyone... Confused

You kind of wonder why the railways are still putting out offers for Bluff as a depot? Maybe they will be sending people off to Blackwater?
Just seems a little odd.

Remember: no matter where you go...there you are.

Heavy Hauler · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:50 pm

Wombat1965 · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:00 am

HH, I have a tiny inkling in the back of my mind that they don't really have a plan...I know the union wants more and better quality accommodation as a priority (and has for some years from what we have been told), but as for the railways themselves, people I have spoken to don't seem to know why Bluff is still being offered because of housing.

That said, it's a great little town and top place to work and I'd recommend it highly...it's not that us relatively new people don't want the newer trainees coming here, it's just that we are a bit perplexed as to where everyone is going to live...not to mention tutors...

Ah well...I've worked for the government before many moons ago...I know thw wheels turn slowly... Laughing

Remember: no matter where you go...there you are.

rowdy1975 · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:10 pm

I have a feeling thats one of the reasons that Stanwell became a sign on point. I wouldn't be surprised if the numbers at Stanwell increase.

Heavy Hauler · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:21 pm

Expost · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:42 pm

After a couple of months at Bluff, I can say that a couple of things do irk me. Accommodation is one. I have a room, and cant complain about the amount I pay per week.

The accommodation units shown in the AFULE bulletin would, in my opinion, be ideal. Transportable 3 room buildings, one person per building.

I have been told (and dont quote me as I dont know if its the real reason) that accommodation isnt being put in is because of the unknown staffing levels/issues related to the northern and southern missing links. What gets me is- they are TRANSPORTABLE. If a number were installed at Bluff, and 5 years down the track, Bluff was downgraded as a traincrewing depot- hence less accommodation needed, the things could be picked up onto the back of a truck, and taken to another town that needed them. The only loss would be infrastructure services- power, water, sewerage.

The other issue that irks me out there is vehicle accommodation at quarters. I have my own idea, which differs from the existing arrangement.

Cheers
Expost

Heavy Hauler · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:05 pm

If I were you guys I'd be a little bit pissed off at the ladies getting primo share accommodation in those new houses and all.

If they can share the same cab they can share the same living conditions.

sneer

pfor950 · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:36 pm

We 12 start stage 2 at Bluff on Monday.
I was told yesterday there is 300 new trainee places booked in for the coal courses over the next 12 months to two years.But I can't recall the numbers for where, I think it was Callemondah, Bluff and Coppabella.
I'm still new to all this QR stuff but it seems funny that figures are quoted by some to have around 200 drivers/trainee's at Bluff by the end of this year and nowhere to house us.
With Stanwell/Gracemere depot coming along soon? may help some, but that will still be some time off yet I suppose.
Some of BF02 are going to Gladstone for stage 4 and they were trying to get some of us (BF03) to Gladstone to do stage 4 as well.
We were supposed to be at the quarters for the next 4 weeks but we book out of the motel here tomorrow and we are now booking in at the Bluff Palms for the 4 weeks.
I'll just go along and see what happens I suppose.
Aparrently QR National Coal South is no longer too, so we were told today it's now QR National CQ Coal or something along those lines.

EMBaldwin · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:00 pm

nic83 · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:47 am

HH, I agree that the standards are hardly equal or fair.. but instead of taking it out on us hidden behind a screen name.. why not take it to a higher authority if you have such a problem with it. We have no control over the issue.

nic83 · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:11 am

Further to my earlier post. I as a female do realise we have entered a male dominated workplace and want it to be known that we are simply here to do the job like the person beside us and expect no special treatment. I realise some that have come before us may have not had the same idea.. but we shouldn't all be tarred with the same brush. Unfortunately the powers that be seem to think that we need special treatment. Hence the accomodation issue. That is all that was meant by my earlier post... apologies if it came across harshly.

Wombat1965 · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:52 pm

Nic's fired up!...which is why I like the girl... Wink

I too think the singles accomodation should be changed at Bluff. There are plenty of easily available housing systems...some entire "villages" of units for sale by mines who no longer require them, some from private companies...usually demountable one or two bedroom fully self contained units.

Given the amount of coal dollars they are dragging out of this place each year, you think it would be a simple matter to tear down the old asbestos-ridden flea pit and plonk down a couple of dozen of these units.

Oh well, time will tell what is going to happen.

Remember: no matter where you go...there you are.

TheWeapon · Beginner Joined: May 30, 2008 Last Visited: Nov 29, 2008

*twiddles thumbs*

Trenton · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:28 pm