Stevens Weir—Construction of a Fishway
Description
This project was part of a state-wide, award- winning initiative to remove or bypass some of the current barriers to fish movement in NSW’s waterways.
The project at Stevens Weir included the construction a vertical slot fishway to enable fish to bypass the existing weir structure. Works included permanent and temporary sheet piling, cofferdam construction and dewatering, earthworks and concrete works.
During the construction period 6 major floods passed through the site, including one flood which exceeded all records.
Works
- Cofferdam construction and dewatering
- Demolition works (cut through existing batter and apron flab)
- Construction of fishweir including permanent sheetpiling and shoring works
- Electrical, metal and mechanical works
- Roadworks, earthworks, excavation and backfill
Challenges
- Riverine Environment
- Large structure of reinforced concrete
- Deep excavation
- Complex sheetpiling
- Environmental management
- Extreme weather and recurrent flooding:
- Repeated shutdowns, with works under water and/or access compromised
- Subcontractor Management when works were interrupted
- Remote location and 11km dirt access track
Our Management
The site works had to be suspended on numerous occasions, including 11 months at one stage. This required standing down and re-establishing equipment, repairing damage, and considering the option of formally suspending works altogether.
Value Adding
Despite repeated setbacks, we did not waver on our commitment to quality and maintaining good relations with the client and project stakeholders.
