A Dual Catchment System to Manage Stormwater

As Kaduna Business Park developed, a scalable wastewater solution was essential to support on-site needs and regional expansion. SMEC helped steer master planning for a regional sewer outfall and pump station, ensuring the site could efficiently manage wastewater flows while servicing more than 160 hectares of industrial land.

Due to the flat terrain, a traditional gravity-fed sewer system was not feasible, so advocating for the pump station was necessary to direct wastewater towards downstream treatment facilities. Careful coordination with Southeast Water and neighbouring landowners ensured that the system was seamlessly integrated into the broader wastewater network, aligning with long-term regional planning strategies.

SMEC took a holistic approach to the full catchment strategy, which helped expedite authority approvals, which enabled the development to proceed.  SMEC also undertook analysis to understand system capacity and mitigate constraints.  The result will enable future industrial tenants to connect seamlessly without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.

Regulatory Approvals & Reimbursement Criteria

Regulatory approvals were integral to the success of Kaduna Business Park, requiring extensive coordination with Melbourne Water, local councils, and neighbouring landowners to ensure compliance with planning frameworks while optimising financial outcomes for the client.

A key achievement was securing increased reimbursable allocations, reducing the developer’s financial exposure on critical infrastructure. SMEC also managed approvals across multiple gate stages, ensuring that the project aligned with regional growth strategies and met the requirements of governing authorities.

In parallel, SMEC led the public tender process, identifying cost-effective contractor solutions while maintaining compliance with procurement and infrastructure funding requirements. By successfully navigating this complex regulatory landscape, SMEC ensured the project remained commercially viable, positioning Kaduna Business Park for long-term success within Melbourne’s expanding industrial network.

Road Design and Integration with APA Gas Corridor

Efficient road infrastructure was essential to ensuring seamless transport movements, freight efficiency, and long-term site accessibility at Kaduna Business Park. SMEC delivered DCP-funded roundabout and access road upgrades, creating a well-defined entry point that balances high-capacity freight movement with optimised land use. Road widths were carefully refined to maximise developable land while maintaining traffic efficiency, ensuring safe and uninterrupted access for heavy vehicles and logistics operators.

A key complexity in the road design was the site’s interface with APA’s high-pressure gas transfer easement, which required meticulous planning and risk management to ensure compliance with strict infrastructure protection regulations. SMEC undertook a detailed risk assessment, ensuring all road and drainage works were designed to meet APA’s stringent safety protocols, mitigating any potential risks to critical gas transmission assets.

By developing a coordinated approach, SMEC enabled essential road and utility infrastructure to proceed while adhering to APA’s operational requirements, ensuring the project moved forward without compromising safety or project timelines.

Balancing Infrastructure with Environmental Stewardship

A key environmental consideration in Kaduna Business Park’s development was the preservation of the Growling Grass Frog habitat within the western drainage catchment. Working closely with environmental specialists at Abzeco, SMEC incorporated a dedicated wetland system with a permanent pumped water supply, ensuring year-round habitat stability.

To further support biodiversity, landscaped wetland features were introduced to create an optimal breeding environment, seamlessly integrating with the broader stormwater network. A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) was developed to mitigate habitat disturbance during construction, ensuring compliance with conservation requirements while maintaining ecological resilience.

By embedding biodiversity protection into the site’s infrastructure, SMEC ensured that critical ecological assets were not only preserved but actively enhanced, reinforcing Kaduna Business Park’s role as a model for sustainable industrial development. Landscaping combines public amenity with long-term ecological resilience, reinforcing environmental protections while integrating seamlessly into the site’s overall infrastructure and open space strategy.

Unlocking Long-Term Value

Kaduna Business Park is positioned to become a major employment and logistics hub, thanks to its integrated planning, efficient infrastructure, and sustainable design. SMEC’s early planning guidance helped McMullin navigate approval challenges across multiple authorities.  Through integrated planning, efficient infrastructure, and sustainable design, the precinct is now infrastructure-ready, offering a resilient and commercially viable foundation for industrial tenants.

SMEC’s work on stormwater, wastewater, road infrastructure, and regulatory approvals has ensured that the site is not only functional and future-proofed but also environmentally responsible. The integrated wetland system supports biodiversity conservation (including Growling Grass Frog habitat), while smarter planning strategies have delivered cost efficiencies and optimised financial outcomes.