A Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) irrigation siphon lining project has taken out first place in the rehabilitation category of the Trenchless Australasia Project of the Year Award 2010.
G-MW Acting Managing Director Shane McGrath said the innovative ‘trenchless' solution preserved the local Serpentine Creek environment while maintaining an existing 3-metre diameter pipe for supplying irrigation water to farming districts west of Bendigo.
"During the winter months, G-MW shuts off parts of the irrigation channel network to allow inspections and maintenance of siphons and channels. It was during routine inspections that the condition of the Serpentine Creek siphon was noted as degraded and in need of replacement," Mr McGrath said.
"The project was particularly challenging in that it needed to line a pipe of a size that had never been attempted before, required two sharp bends with 15-degree inclines and was essential that the project be completed in a safe and cost-effective way while preserving the local environment," said Mr McGrath.
"The award recognised that this was the largest structural liner ever installed in Australia, at a 3.3-metre diameter by 30-metre length, and an innovative method of design and installation," Mr McGrath said.
"Installing the liner did not disrupt the function of the siphon and its method of installation minimised the impact to the environment and community, given the siphon ran directly below a natural creek and 100-year-old gum trees," said Mr McGrath.
The project was completed on time and under budget and with no impact on the supply of the irrigated water network and without any safety, community or environmental incidents.
"The traditional replacement cost for a project of this scale can be as high as $1.5 million, but with this innovative solution, the project cost was reduced to $0.54 million," Mr McGrath said.
The Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the science and practice of trenchless technology for the public benefit and provides a public forum for interchange of knowledge and skills within Australia and New Zealand and throughout the world.
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