Project Description

Overcoming adversity: How GLC managed value-adding civil works in extremely steep terrain, while skillfully avoiding surface-level conduit services

Works required: Excavation and demolition, formwork, reinforcement, concreting; streetscape:footpath, kerb, gutter, gutter bridge; stormwater drainage construction.

The Project: In 2020, GLC Civil Projects Pty Ltd were contracted to deliver uplift works for two existing dwellings by adding a new 70m long driveway with built-in sensor lighting upon a steep slope, as well as a footpath, kerb, gutter and gutter bridge.

The site posed several challenges, not only the limited and steep-sloped access but also:

• High density of conduit services:
• Services located close to the surface
• Council crossover requiring permits and approval.

The Challenges: Navigating safely through the difficult task of civil works management in a residential area presents numerous hurdles, added to which were the following:

• Getting the vehicles and machinery to the site. With the steep incline, it was crucial that we ensured the safety of staff and pedestrians, as well as made access possible to be able to complete the works.
• Avoiding the services. With numerous services located just beneath the ground on-site, it was essential that nothing was interfered with throughout the works, adding further levels of intricacy to the project.
• Working closely with Council. Owing to the crossover of this works onto Council-owned land, we had to ensure that all permits were approved, and strict guidelines adhered to, including the relocation of services and the construction of stormwater drainage.

Our Solutions:

To address these challenges, GLC Civil Projects Pty Ltd conducted detailed research, risk analysis and project planning to minimise the impact on:

• The surrounding residences
• Workers’ safety
• Safety of pedestrians
• Interference with Council property
• Disruption of services.

The client and stakeholder-focussed strategy had the following at its core:

• Identifying and marking the exact location of the services to ensure avoidance
• Careful demolition and excavation of the existing driveway
• Maintaining continuous supervision to manage the complex situation
• Using small scale machinery for works and uphill transportation of material
• Employing highly experienced operators and civil labourers
• Assigning relocation of services to specialist tradesman
• Planning the project right the way through to completion, including providing waste removal services through our sister company, Pronto Bins

The Result: Formwork, reinforcement and concrete were installed for the new driveway, and once the relocation of the services was completed, new stormwater drainage was put into place. A new electrical pole and lighting were also installed, as well as sandstone flagging of the retaining wall and side of the house, which connected to the stairs to the existing sandstone.

The project was delivered to scope, deadline and budget, including:

• Excavation and demolition of existing driveway
• Relocation of all services
• Hydraulic work including new stormwater drainage
• Electrical work including new pole and lighting provision
• Sandstone flagging

7 weeks in total, $250k cost.

With the successful and efficient management of this project from start to finish – from initial application for council permits for works to the removal of all rubbish off the site upon completion (through GLC’s sister company, Pronto Bins waste management) – the client was 100% satisfied with the result.

Noting the considerable value that GLC Civil Projects added to the site and the way that the project was successfully planned, managed and executed, GLC Civil Projects has since worked together with the client on several more projects and will continue to be the go-to for all their civil works needs.