Integrity | Reliability | Collaboration | Supporting Local Communities

Eudlo-Maroochydore Energex Powerline Project

Eudlo-Maroochydore Energex Powerline Project, SE Qld (2018 – 2019)

The $18m contract for energy provider Energex involved the construction of civil works for a major new 132kVa power line between Eudlo and Maroochydore West Electrical Substations, on the Sunshine Coast. Works included access tracks, waterway crossings, structure laydown pads, bored piles, pile caps, heavy rag bolt assemblies and structure earthing.

Scope of Work

  • 8.5km of Access Tracks (combination of geotextile, rock and road base)
  • 55,000m2 of Laydown Pads (also geotextile, rock and road base)
  • Multiple RCP culverts ranging from 225 to 900 diameter
  • 75 bored piles 1.6m to 1.8m in diameter and up to 18m deep
  • 75 large pile caps
  • 3,500m3 of concrete (piles 2,000m3, pile caps 1,000m3, blinding 500m3)
  • 1,200m of steel pile liners
  • 530 tonne of steel reinforcing

Notable Aspects

  • Extensive construction planning and notification required to adhere to local government, state government & land holder agreements
  • Careful selection of drilling plant was made, so that it was capable of constructing the large diameter piles as well as being mobile enough to suit on site conditions
  • Multiple large holding-down bolts had to be accurately positioned within pile-caps, using carefully designed
  • temporary steel frames & templates to suspend the bolts
  • Special concrete curing temperature control measures were required for the large pile-cap pours
  • High degree of environmental management including weed hygiene, works in a flood plain, spoil disposal and working in close proximity to sensitive fauna (platypus and acid frog habitat)
  • Positive and open communication maintained at all times with local residents
  • Working closely with the traditional landowners to ensure high risk cultural heritage site monitoring during ground disturbance works
  • Effective, collaborative working with the client to optimise results
  • Value engineering options identified by SGQ included the following adopted measures:
    • Reduced thickness pavement design through incorporation of engineered geotextile layers
    • Segmented pile liner installation to reduce crane loads and depths of laydowns pads
    • Special order 18m reinforcing bar for pile cage manufacture, minimising the need for cage splicing

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