RJV commenced Stage 1 & 2 BEW in November 2014 with completion in June 2015. Works consisted of bulk earthworks spanning two large commercial civil stages ranging from underground services, roadworks and retaining walls.
Particular attention was given to the bulk earthworks in that a considerable amount of unexpected finds were uncovered in this post demolition site. Furthermore, asbestos was exposed and very stringent environmental requirement had to be met in the handling of both these unexpected finds and asbestos materials. At the request of the client, RJV were actively involved in the overall post demolition remediation requirements. Large areas of fill were excavated, unexpected finds removed and then selectively backfilled. RJV played a pivotal role in the client attaining all post demolition approvals allowing the civil works to commence.
The civil component of this stage encompassed a significant amount of underground services. In particular, the sewer installation involved substantial dewatering, handling and treatment of acid sulphate soils (ASS) together with the installation of both infiltration and sedimentation ponds. Additionally, in line ASS dosing treatment plants were installed to effectively manage the acidity of the pumped water. Stringent environmental control measures were implemented with daily compliance checks being carried out by the Environmental Engineer.
Another key component of the underground services was the substantial sewer boring being carried out very closely to existing properties, adjoining the overall development area. This involved meticulous boring techniques to ensure numerous factory buildings were not compromised during the deep boring operation. Specific boring techniques were also implemented to cater for numerous other existing services located within Baile Road covering, high voltage power, optic fibre communication cables, water and gas services.
Following the successful completion of Stage 1 & 2 BEW together with the integral part RJV played in assisting the client in the overall Stage 1&2 demolition delivery, RJV were then awarded the contract to carry out the demolition and associated earthworks of the existing Bevchain facility. This involved the direct supervision of the demolition, removal of unexpected finds, exposure and disposal of both asbestos material and completion of the bulk earthworks. Works commenced in April 2015 and was successfully delivered in September 2015.
Stage 3 Civils was then awarded to RJV in September 2015 with an anticipated completion in January 2016. Again, this stage included for underground services, roadworks and retaining walls. Whilst on a smaller scale than Stage 1 & 2, RJV again had to deal with very deep sewer excavations, extensive dewatering, treatment of ASS material and working in close proximity to existing buildings.
The estate is situated on Yanchep Beach Road between the Sun City Country Club and the Yanchep National Park. RJV commenced construction with Stage 1 of the Yanchep Golf Estate in late 2011 which included bulk earthworks, underground services, retaining walls and road construction, along with the roundabout and main entry from the existing Yanchep Beach Road. The interface between the development and the golf course has been successfully created with the use of naturally occurring limestone, along with the preservation of existing trees and vegetation to provide an aesthetically pleasing link between the property boundaries and the golf course fairways.
Throughout construction of the development, RJV has worked closely with both engineering and environmental consultants to ensure delivery of an impressive residential estate that co-exists with native flora and fauna species. The implementation of strict guidelines for the protection of native species such as the Carnaby Black Cockatoo, combined with diligent monitoring of machine hygiene and movements to stop the spread of dieback has allowed RJV to present the Yanchep Golf Estate as a residential development that exists harmoniously within its natural surroundings.
RJV won the Catalina subdivision works in 2011 as has completed all works to date. RJV’s experience in the northern coastal corridor provided RJV with the knowledge of the terrain conditions that are prevalent in the area and the need for D10 and D11 Dozers and 651 Scrapers to rip and haul through the hard rock conditions onsite.
RJV also completed the upgrade of Joondalup Drive and the intersection with Marmion Avenue for the Catalina Subdivision entrance and the service upgrades associated with these works. Working alongside the existing businesses and residents directly adjacent the site proved difficult due to the coastal conditions and location of the site.
RJV managed dust issues with the use of 46,000 kl watercarts for dust suppression, adequate maintenance of wind fencing and the use of pre planning for hydromulch stabilisation to minimise the impacts of dust issues, measured through automated dust monitor stations set up at the extent of the site.
Recent works at Catalina have involved the carting of excess material from the “central cell” (bounded by Marmion Avenue and Connolly Drive) to both the “eastern cell” and “western cell”. The Eastern cell cartage was completed using 50 tonne articulated dump trucks and RJV was able to set up and manage an actuated temporary traffic signal crossing point in order to enable the trucks to cross Connolly Drive and cart material to fill areas in the east. This operation enabled higher productivity than an equivalent road truck operation and meant that RJV was able to offer the client for Catalina a cost saving as well as a reduction in the time frame for the earthworks.
RJV ability to manage this crossing and ensure that operators adhered to strict safety protocol meant that all earthworks were completed with no incidents onsite and no harm to the public utilising Connolly Drive as part of their daily commute. RJV also ensured that Connolly Drive was restored to its previous state with verges and road surfaces reinstated at the completion of works.
Currently RJV is conducting cut to fill works within the “western cell” and this also involves the cartage of excess from the “central cell” to fill areas west of Marmion Avenue. As part of this operation RJV has limited options in utilising earthworks equipment to complete cartage operations, and as such must utilise road trucks. RJV liaised with Main Roads WA and was able to negotiate permission for semi-trucks to proceed straight through the intersection of Aviator Boulevard and Marmion Avenue (currently a right turn only) to enable increased efficiency in haulage operations. This operation has currently been completed with no influence to Marmion Avenue traffic, particularly during peak hour operations.
RJV has worked with the consulting engineer and client at Catalina to achieve milestone dates and ensure that each stage has been brought within budget and on-time.
RJV began works on the Master-planned Brighton Development in 2000 and has completed every stage of this significant development since that time through both ongoing negotiated contract and open tender. RJV has created an average of 500 lots per year for release since construction began and has expanded its fleet of plant and equipment to meet the high demands of the sales climate over the last twelve years. Approximately 6 million m3 of limestone rock and coastal sand has been moved during bulk earthworks operations to date.
Extensive road networks, retaining walls, fencing and services such as drainage, power, lighting, sewer and water for sub-divisional works has all been completed to a high standard. RJV also coordinated the installation of Telstra, Gas, non-potable irrigation and other service contractor for miscellaneous services within the Brighton. RJV has also been pivotal in providing the key infrastructure elements associated with this development including road and trunk main service networks, lakes, public open spaces, village centres, schools and shops.
Value-added Initiatives: RJV has developed a process for onsite screening of excavated rock / sand material for re-use in trenching that has been able to conserve sand resources onsite. The method developed involves staged screening of trenching material to produce suitable backfill and bedding sand, thereby eliminating the need to source expensive imported sand from offsite. RJV also utilise the Erkat rock wheels onsite to efficiently excavate site trenches, particularly through the solid limestone rock within Brighton. The benefit of using the rockwheel was evident in its ability to produce neat trenches quickly in comparison to rock breaking.
RJV’s presence at Brighton has also been a platform for RJV to provide further services for projects in the local area. In 2010 RJV was awarded the Butler Railway Earthworks Extension Project by the Public Transport Authority, where approx 500,000 m3 of cut to fill earthworks were required to develop the railway cut through the Brighton development. As part of this project crushed onsite limestone cut material and processed into a MRWA specification subbase product. This material was suitable for use as part of road works at Brighton negating the need to import limestone from quarries outside of the local area.
RJV was also able to utilise sand / limestone excess material out of the railway cut as deep fill to Butler High School works that was being completed concurrently. RJV was able to provide significantly cheaper rates for fill material than local quarries and provide cost savings to the client.
RJV has also recently won a project at North Butler Primary School for the Department of Finance, Building and Maintenance Works. This project requires screening of excavated material to provide drainage aggregate suitable for infiltration drains onsite. RJV’s screening operations already in the area naturally lend itself to the works. The project also required the removal of limestone rock offsite to reduce the levels of the site. Through liaison with the consulting engineer for Brighton, RJV was able to source a fill location for future stages at Brighton and therefore offer a discounted rate for the excavation and removal of rock material from the North Butler Primary School Site, as well as provide fill material for future stages within Brighton.
RJV’s experience in hard rock conditions, skilled operators and large D11 and D10 Dozers has meant that each earthworks stage of Brighton has progressed with no need to blast the limestone caprock. RJV has been able to remove the risk of drill and blasting from the client through the rock ripping techniques developed over time at Brighton, all whilst still meeting program requirements and providing a quality product to the client.
As part of the development RJV also undertook bulk earthworks and civil works development at Jindalee for client MQ1. This project has run alongside Brighton and has been able to benefit from the level of resources and personnel RJV has positioned in the Brighton area.
Project Outcomes: To date RJV has been able to deliver each stage on time and within budget with multiple stages running concurrently. Key to the success of the development has been RJV’s commitment of plant, equipment and human resources to the development. RJV has been able to utilise the right equipment from its internal plant and equipment list for the project.
RJV commenced construction on the Alkimos Shorehaven development in July 2009. The development is situated on the (then recently constructed) Marmion Avenue extension, which was also carried out by RJV.
The Shorehaven Development is a coastal community project that integrates residential lots with coastal walk trails, public open spaces with native vegetation, and coastal parklands. Significant consideration to local fauna and flora retention has played a large part in the RJV’s construction works; this included the retention and preservation of significant foraging areas for the Carnaby Black Cockatoo.
The site presented a number of construction challenges, which was part of the reason why RJV was chosen to carry out the work.
Significant rock excavation was carried out during both the earthworks and civil construction works, and – not uncommonly for such coastal developments – strong prevailing winds played a large part in the development of RJV’s environmental management strategy to combat airborne dust.
Capricorn JV appointed RJV to undertake civil works for this major urban development at Yanchep, 60km north of Perth, in mid 2005, and work commenced in August of that year.
The development site is between Yanchep National Park and the coast.
Overall Capricorn Structure Plan Highlights
The entire Yanchep and Two Rocks landholding of over 5,500 hectares is being developed in accordance with the Yanchep and Two Rocks District Structure Plan, which calls for:
Eventual population 8000 residents
Project Construction Period (estimated): 2005-2015
Total land and housing construction cost: $750 million
Residential lots: 2700 approx
Construction of Bethanie Beachside village incorporating a 160-bed nursing home
Creation of Village Centre including commercial and retail facilities
Establish two primary schools
Establish one high school
Create a hotel/resort
Set aside approx 17ha of public open space
Difficulties were encountered with extremely hard rock under the coastal dunes, but RJV, having had previous experience of such conditions, overcame the challenges to deliver stages in a timely manner. Other key issues for the project included management of dust and windborne particles, exacerbated by strong winds in this coastal location.
RJV also constructed the extension of Marmion Avenue from Brighton, Butler to Yanchep in 2007-8 to provide improved access to Capricorn Estate along W.A.'s coastal strip.
