Infrastructure renewals provider Interflow has been named as a finalist alongside water supply and sewage treatment partner Unitywater in the Civil Contractors Federation Queensland Earth Awards for its rehabilitation of a sewage pipeline on the Sunshine Coast.

The CCF Earth Awards are the most prestigious awards in civil infrastructure, which includes roads, bridges, railways, marine structures, utilities and all the economic veins and arteries that support communities.

The commended project, a joint partnership between Interflow and Unitywater, involving the rehabilitation of the pipeline in Alexandra Headland,  has been praised for its efficiency and success.

The project involved relining sewer pipes, raising an access chamber, and cleaning and coating eight more access chambers. Cleaning dingos (remote high pressure cleaning units) were strategically arranged along the line using a 100-tonne crane, which helped to reduce cartage and water use.

An environmentally sensitive undertaking

Because the sewers and access chambers were parallel to the shoreline and on steep rocky ground, trenches had to be avoided. Instead, equipment had to be crane-delivered to the chambers.

Interflow’s business development manager for Queensland John Phillips said impact to the community and the environment at one of Queensland’s prominent tourists destinations were the main considerations for the project.

“By using world leading, innovative, trenchless technology which removes the need to dig out the old pipes, millions of dollars were saved by Unitywater and the community,” Phillips told Government News.

“The renewed pipes have a new lease of life now and Unitywater and the community can rest easy that there is no risk of sewer spills on account of old and failing sewer pipes at their favourite beach.”

Interflow and Unitywater have worked together since 2011. On this project their close communication with Sunshine Coast Council enabled them to deliver the work on time, within budget and with minimal disruption to the public, and with no environmental impact.

Interflow rehabilitates hundreds of kilometres of buried assets each year, employing more than 500 people across Australia and New Zealand. But sewer pipes are out of sight and out of mind for most people, which makes this recognition for Interflow even sweeter.

“It is only when things go wrong that buried assets make the news,” said Phillips.

“We are delighted that the Alexandra Headlands foreshore sewer rehabilitation project has been selected for this very important award by CCF.”

CCF Qld CEO Damian Long said the awards allows the industry to celebrate the brilliant work completed by the Queensland civil construction industry.

“These companies deliver infrastructure projects that connect communities statewide. This night is about celebrating Queensland-based civil contractors who continue to provide jobs and skilling opportunities for Queenslanders.”

Other companies listed as finalists are Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure, Obayashi Corporation Joint Venture, Queensland Urban Utilities, Alder Constructions, BMD Constructions, Doval Constructions, FKG Group, Georgiou Group, Hazell Bros, McIlwain, Pumps United, SEE Civil and Shadfoth.

The winners will be announced at the CCF QLD Earth Awards, which will be held at the Gold Coast on Friday 23 August 2019.

Winners of the CCF Earth Awards in each state will then progress to the National Earth finals.

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