When: June – July 2020 | Location: Dame Phyliss Frost Correctional Centre
Client: Symal | Job value: $180k
The Brief:
We undertook a big earthworks project for the Dame Phyliss Frost Correctional Centre. The job included installation of a swale drain with rock beaching, fabric installation, soil stabilization with gypsum, hydro mulching, and landscaping of the carpark areas.
The Challenges:
As the work took place at a correctional centre, it required careful coordination with numerous stakeholders and strict security checks for all GMA staff on site.
The strict timeline of the project meant we needed to be incredibly organised to deliver in the required timeframe. Despite the additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to successfully complete the project on schedule while following all necessary safety protocols.
How did we ensure the successful management of stormwater?
Swale Drain and Rock Beaching
A swale drain is a drainage channel or trench, typically filled with gravel or vegetation, that is used to manage stormwater runoff.
It has many benefits over a typical gutter:
• A swale drain helps filter out pollution, meaning cleaner water in our rivers and creeks.
• A swale drain looks more visually appealing to a kerb or gutter and can improve the overall aesthetic of an area.
• Using plants in a swale drain helps absorb some of the runoff.
Rock beaching helps stabilize the banks of the swale drain and slow down the flow of stormwater. It also prevents erosion of the swale drain by creating a barrier between the water and the slope of the drain.
Fabric Installation
Fabric instillation is adding a thin layer of fabric underneath mulch, rocks, or sand. It has many benefits, including:
- Soil stabilization, which is especially important in an area built to manage flood water.
- The prevention of weeds, which helps keep the area under control and reduces the need for maintenance.
- The fabric acts as a membrane that prevents mulch or rocks from sinking into the soil.
Soil Stabilization with Gypsum
Gypsum is a mineral that is widely used as a fertilizer among other things, it improves the physical structure of soil by breaking it into smaller pieces and increases the soils’ ability to absorb more water after rainfall thus helping reduce erosion even further.
Hydro mulching
Hydro mulching is the process of spraying a mixture of water, seed, fertiliser, mulch and a tackifier to efficiently revitalise soil that has been damaged and degraded.
Hydro mulching:
- Promotes efficient growth of plants.
- Protects seeds and plants from wind and water erosion.
Every single job comes with its own unique set of challenges, so being able to problem solve and come up with creative solutions is what makes all the difference.