A challenging marine engineering project which improved water quality in the Burnett River has been shortlisted for a national public works award.
The $4 million Rubyanna river discharge facility was part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s $71 million Rubyanna Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The 150-metre twin pipeline is a contender in the water excellence category at the IPWEA Australasia Awards in Hobart from 25-29 August.
The outfall was necessary to discharge treated water from the Rubyanna plant in excess of what's recycled.
The specialist project was undertaken by Brady Marine with support from Bundaberg business Hawe Earthmoving.
It has previously been recognised at the Civil Contracting Federation Queensland Earth Awards.
In scoping the work an Aboriginal midden site was identified, which required an exclusion zone and coordination with the Gidarjil Development Corporation.
Brady used trenchless technology to install the pipelines at an exit point in the river without impacting on the existing shoreline or the environment.
Diving into the river was required to fit supporting clamps and diffusers.
Technical challenges included engineering associated with the pipeline floating and installation; and design and layout of a suitable piling barge for installation of the support piles.
Council’s General Manager Infrastructure Stuart Randle said it was terrific to see the project recognised at a national level.
“It’s a credit to our project managers, the contractor and local firm Hawe Earthmoving that everything went smoothly,” Mr Randle said.
“Council required the contractor to minimise impact on the riverbank, river users and the marine environment, and this was successfully achieved.
“Hawe Earthmoving did a great job with the initial excavation and construction of a temporary diversion for public access to the boat ramp.”
Mr Randle said Council recycles most of the treated wastewater from Rubyanna.
“The outfall is only required for a small percentage of the treated wastewater,” he said.
“The quality of the discharge is actually better than the river water itself.
“By design, the pipeline discharges into a section of the river with high streamflow velocities.”
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