PROJECTS – DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

Camp Sapper Boat Harbour, Holsworthy

Project Details

The construction of the Camp Sapper Boat Harbour by Bermagui Constructions provided both the Special Forces Personnel and the Royal Australian Engineers with a purpose built facility designed to ensure that their ongoing water training and bridge building can be continued in a modern and safe environment.

The scope of works undertaken by Bermagui required the construction of a platform around the harbour for the installation of the contiguous piles for the retaining wall in the harbour and the required heavy working load rigs. Additionally the installation of the pontoons and cofferdam required extensive works to be undertaken from barges on the water.

[Show slideshow]

The extent of the works undertaken Bermagui Constructions include:

• Complete site clearance including the relocation of some protected plant life species
• Installation of a sheet pile wall to form a cofferdam enabling works from within the harbour.
• Installation of over 144 Contiguous retaining piles and walling, with associated rock anchors and finished with shotcrete.
• Excavation and treatment of approx 8,300m3 of acid sulphate soil.
• Installation of a concrete base slab on the harbour bed.
• Supply and installation of floating pontoon onto the Georges River.
• Supply and installation of a floating pontoon in the harbour with an access ramp gang way.

Working besides waterways always brings environmental concerns but with appropriate technical consideration and due diligence Bermagui Constructions discovered that the material to be removed from the harbour was contaminated with iron sulphates, which when exposed to oxygen become acid sulphates. Appropriate planning saw Bermagui set up a treatment area and leachate pond for the water runoff to be treated, as the soils were excavated they were treated and by running through a screener the correct amount of lime per tonne was treated to the exposed soils.

Further Photos