During the construction phase of a Melbourne Water solar farm in Melbourne’s South East, 40Ha of land was developed to create the engineered base for the construction phase to commence.
The engineered base of the solar farm had specific parameters which had to be maintained for up to 12 months before the construction commenced.
Any damage to that base caused by wind and rain would result in significant rework of the site at additional cost to the client, along with potential delays and localised environmental impact.
The environmental risk comprised of 2 key factors:
- A significant risk of fugitive dust discharges across a neighbouring highway and into the surrounding mixed-use areas. Over an extended period of time, the volume of material discharged in the form of dust can result in measurable damage to engineered levels and impact on the health & safety of those living and working downwind.
- Seasonal rains posed a higher risk of damage to the engineered surface, along with the potential for sediment-laden stormwater discharges into adjoining drains leading to natural surface waterbodies. The impact of sediment into the natural environment is clear and well-established, not to mention a potential breach of environmental legislation by those responsible for any discharge.
Statewide River & Stream Management Pty Ltd, a well-established and respected contractor within the Melbourne construction sector was contacted to provide advice and suitable options for the project management team. As Vital Chemical’s Victorian distributor, Statewide River & Stream Management Pty Ltd was able to provide timely support along with plant on hand in order to undertake the application within a very short timeframe.
Statewide River & Stream Management Pty Ltd recommended the application of Vital Bon-Matt Stonewall (IGD) at a 10% dilution (1:9 ratio). Vital products are diluted in water and applied with standard equipment.
That advice was based on independent testing and reports which were supplied to the project management team to support their decision making processes and demonstrate Vital products were an effective, durable and sustainable option, affording the required standard of stabilisation for the 12 month set down period.
Once approved by the client, Statewide River & Stream Management Pty Ltd was able to mobilise and commence the application to achieve the client’s required timeframes.
The site was quickly and effectively stabilised providing an immediate and noticeable reduction in dust generation, as well as withstanding a significant high intensity rainfall event within 24 hours of completion.
Statewide River & Stream Management Pty Ltd utilised a purpose-built 5m spray boom to provide a capability to stabilise up to 5Ha per day.
Feedback from the client has been very positive and the site continues to meet the required high standards required to achieve specification for stage 2 of the development.
Finally, as Vital Chemical is a member of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA), several products including Vital Bon-Matt Stonewall (IGD) are listed on ISCA’s ISupply website (https://www.isca.org.au/vital_chemical). Therefore, the use of Vital Chemical products can support sustainability KPIs, as well as contributing towards a project’s ISCA accreditation submission.
