Kawana Waters

Civil Works,
Capital Works,
Hydraulic Sand Transfer.

Principal:

Stockland Developments

Location:

Sunshine Coast, Qld

Kawana Waters Project

Overview of Project

Kawana Waters is a significant development on the Sunshine Coast extending from north of Caloundra to south of Mooloolaba.  The development includes a 2.5-kilometre recreational lake, two bridges, a navigable channel connected to the Mooloolah River, a lock and weir system, five kilometres of sub-arterial roads, numerous sub-divisional roads,  approximately 1200 residential lots and a significant salinity rising main system.  In addition to the work conducted for Lensworth further work for Caloundra Council was completed in several soccer fields near the Lake.

The Project is the most significant combined dredging and civil construction project in Australia.  Various elements of the Project were supervised by different engineers, with most of the work managed by Cardno MBK.

We encountered several complex environmental issues during the Project.  The two most significant of these were the management of Potentially Acid Sulfate Soil (PASS) and the maintenance of water quality for release into the natural environment.  Dredging and dry excavation of PASS at the scale seen on this Project required careful works programming, innovative water treatment and ground water management strategies.  The release of water off the site required a comprehensive testing regime, detailed works programming and contingency planning for all-weather events, including monsoonal or near cyclonic conditions.   The environmental planning and implementation effectiveness is evidenced by the Project winning the Queensland Case Award for Environmental Excellence – projects valued at greater than $10 million.

The Project included construction of all the sub-divisional civil works on Kawana Island and beside Lake Kawana.  These developments by Lensworth have been widely recognised as high-quality residential communities.  Elements of major infrastructure were a part of the development; these included five bridges, five kilometres of arterial roads for the Queensland Department of Main Roads and a salinity pumping system designed to replenish the water in the lake system monthly.

The Project is rare in terms of the scale and broad range of work involved.   The Project encompassed almost the full range of civil work, ranging from bulk dredging to complex pumping systems and sub-arterial road construction.

Scope of Works

The work required by contract included:

Bulk Earthworks

  • Excavation by dredge of approximately 2.4 million cubic metres,
  • Excavation and controlled compaction by excavator and truck of approximately 550 thousand cubic metres,
  • Excavation of a navigable channel connected to the Mooloolah River.

Subdivision Construction

  • Construction of civil works for approximately 1,200 residential and industrial lots,
  • Construction of all sub divisional roads, stormwater and sewer for the above lots.

Infrastructure

  • Construction of two five lane bridges,
  • Construction of 5 kilometres of arterial roads,
  • Construction of a tidal lock and weir system,
  • Construction of salinity exchange system including pump station and 660m rising main.

Other Works

  • Construction of two soccer fields

Challenges

  • Value engineering and co-ordination with the Client with respect to land releases and external deadlines,
  • Successful management of complex PASS and groundwater issues,
  • Construction of deep piling foundations for five bridges,
  • The sheer complexity of the project required effective and robust project management systems and structures allowing concurrent management of wide range of diverse tasks.

Innovation

  • Specialised environmental equipment including: Neumann’s Mobile Hydroxylator (Moxy) and In-line liming system,
  • Value engineering of bridge headstocks,
  • Co-ordinated use of dredge excavation equipment with dry excavation equipment.

Outcome

The diverse nature, size, scope and duration of this Project clearly show it has been successful for all parties.   The Client Representative’s comment on this project was:

“We commend Neumann’s on their professional and proactive approach to this difficult project.   They have been an integral part in our ability to deliver a high quality community asset to the Sunshine Coast community.”

Kawana Waters Project Image Gallery

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