Senversa Bradmills Yarraville Remediation

BACKGROUND

The urban infill industrial site in Yarraville faced many challenges, including proximity to residential areas, ageing and abandoned infrastructure, and a lack of integration with the local community. The primary objective of the project was to address significant environmental and geotechnical concerns, in particular, the remediation of contaminated soil and the safe removal of asbestos from the site. Additionally, the project aimed to enhance site dynamics by preparing the area for its transformation into a mixed-use, sustainable community space.

CHALLENGES

The soil remediation and site operations were delayed and complicated by prolonged periods of wet weather. Deeper levels of fill than initially anticipated were encountered, requiring additional excavation, processing, and backfilling. Other contamination resulting from the sites long history in manufacturing was discovered, further complicating the remediation process and necessitating extensive safety measures. SwitchCo employed adaptive strategies to ensure that the project could be completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

OUTCOMES

SwitchCo implemented several key strategies to address the challenges. These included a detailed assessment of time extensions, variations, and material volume movements to ensure the timeline and budget were effectively managed. SwitchCo implemented a revised material handling process and optimised remediation that was employed by the contractor, which involved a dedicated screening method, which reduced the volume of asbestos-contaminated material requiring off-site disposal. The project was successfully delivered, with the site made suitable for the development of a thriving new urban community. This was achieved thanks to strong collaboration between SwitchCo and the contractor, with a shared unwavering focus on delivering a project regardless of the challenges. SwitchCo’s management of the contract and the processing challenges delivered huge savings to the client and ensured that the project was delivered and ready for development.