Stirling-Harvey Redevelopment Scheme

 

 

 

 

Water Corporation

The Water Corporation of Western Australia (Water Corporation) constructed the Stirling-Harvey Redevelopment Scheme (SHRS), a $275 million scheme to supplement Perth’s public supply.  The SHRS was subject to a Public Environmental Review (PER) level of assessment.  Among the 49 legally binding environmental commitments, were measures to manage an extensive (238 hectare) rehabilitation program.  The net environmental outcome for the SHRS was a positive one with offsets ranging from land purchase to rehabilitation.

Current 360 Environmental staff provided overall project environmental management on behalf of the Water Corporation for the SHRS.

Project Environmental Management

The environmental issues which impacted on the way the project was managed and scheduled included dust, noise and vibration, greenhouse gases, fauna (terrestrial, avian and aquatic)(including the endangered Western Ringtail Possum), flora, mosquitoes, recreation, rehabilitation, vegetation, water supply continuity, visual amenity and water quality.

A major component of the scheme was the construction of the Harvey Dam, a 45 metre transitioning earth and rock dam. The main environmental issues associated with the construction of the dam related to construction and traffic noise, blast vibration and dust generated during the construction period. Environmental management specifically focused on the dam construction activities given the proximity of the works to the town of Harvey and local farm houses. 

A comprehensive Contract Environmental Management System and a series of environmental management plans were developed in consultation with the local community and stakeholders. Specialist consultants were brought to report on flora, dieback, rare fauna, recreation and leisure amenities, ecological water requirements, archaeology, hydrology and anthropology. The project was audited monthly (first party Contractor audits), six monthly (second party Water Corporation audits) and twelve monthly (third party Regulator and independent audits) to ensure compliance.

The environmental management of the construction of the Harvey Dam was an integral component of the (multi) award winning Stirling-Harvey Redevelopment Scheme.

Outcome

The SHRS project demonstrated a vision for environmental excellence from the Water Corporation.  The environmental budget for the Harvey Dam project was $6.3 million, which included social requirements, but excluded land purchases.  The percentage of environmental costs to total budget was 8.4 per cent, higher than the engineering design costs.

Contact

Email: admin@360environmental.com.au

Telephone: +61 8 9388 8360