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Explore career opportunitiesSMEC is providing specialised engineering and technical services, as well as stakeholder engagement, for the new trunk sewer line being delivered by Rob Carr, which will increase the sewer capacity and provide a safe and reliable wastewater service to the people living and working in Melbourne’s CBD.
The project commenced in late 2019 with the construction of a 20m deep launch shaft near the intersection of Lonsdale and William Streets.This shaft is the starting point for the TBM’s 550m journey to Elizabeth Street. Once it reaches Elizabeth Street, the TBM will be retrieved and returned to the launch shaft, and make the final 350m trip to Spencer Street, where it will connect to the Stage 1 sewer that was completed in 2018.
A 1,500 mm diameter sewer main will be installed via pipe-jacking at depths of between 11 and 23m below street level. Once pipe-jacking is complete, pre-cast glass reinforced plastic (GRP) access chambers will be lowered into the launch and retrieval shafts and connected to the new sewer main.
A major challenge for the project is to ensure that disruption to the busy city traffic is minimised during the 10-month construction period. SMEC has been working with Rob Carr, City West Water and key project stakeholders – City of Melbourne, Department of Transport, Transdev and Yarra Trams – throughout the project to maintain reasonable traffic flow during construction. A testament to the project team’s efforts are the positive reactions from the stakeholders, and the low impacts to traffic disruptions to date.
Planning for success
A detailed 3D model of the access chambers and sewer main was developed by SMEC to illustrate the complex arrangement of the structures, including the various inlet/outlet connections and chase arrangement in the access chambers. The 3D model was also used for clash detection assessments to ensure that the new sewer infrastructure would not interfere with existing buried infrastructure such as the Telstra Tunnel and other adjacent utilities.
During the Investigations and Design phase, more than 50 SMEC specialists in various disciplines contributed to early works investigations, planning of the construction activities, and minimising risks during construction. SMEC, in partnership with City West Water, also maintained extensive and ongoing consultation with transport stakeholders and City of Melbourne throughout the planning, design and construction phases.
SMEC’s contribution to this project includes:
In October 2023, Johan Basson (Function Manager, Urban Development) received an Honorary Fellowship from the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA).
The SMEC Foundation has supported a range of projects, guided by on-the-ground support and the professional expertise of SMEC staff. The dedication and local engagement within many of our regions sets the SMEC Foundation apart from other donor organisations. Your passion for making a difference has propelled us forward, enabling us to impact lives, uplift communities, and create positive change.
In a strong display of commitment to environmental sustainability, around 50 SMEC employees recently laced up their running shoes to participate in the “Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan” (Earth Run) 2023 held on 26 November at Liwasang Ulalim, CCP Complex, Pasay City. The event featured three run categories – 5K, 10K, and 25K – and was organised by the Green Media Events Company.
To bolster environmental stewardship, SMEC joined forces recently with the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) for a successful tree planting initiative in Vietnam. The activity, held at Me Linh Station for Biodiversity, located around 50km north of Hanoi, marked a significant step in SMEC’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.
