Overview

Australian Industrial Energy engaged Liberty Industrial to undertake the demolition, remediation and earthworks at Port Kembla Gas Terminal Early Works project in the Illawarra region of NSW, 8km from the Wollongong CBD. Our team was instrumental in the demolition and removal of the former Berth 101 including extraction of 499 steel piles and 71 turpentine fender piles. The piles at over 25m long were embedded through sand and stiff clays, terminating in sandstone bedrock.

Challenges

Approximately 10,000m³ of concrete and 30,000m3 of heavily bound slag was demolished and crushed for sustainable re-use. 76,000t of excavated sand were transported across our own, trade approved, weighbridge to the outer harbour for construction works associated with the wider scheme.
66 unexpected finds were encountered during the works. Over 9000m3 of asbestos impacted soils were managed and segregated and over 100t of asbestos pipes, conduits and associated materials were disposed of offsite.

Robust Solutions/Exceptional Outcomes

Robust solutions

Our team completed the successful commissioning of one of Liberty Industrial’s two owned-and-operated high flow rate Chemically Enhanced Dual Media Water Treatment Plants. Capable of treating contaminants such as heavy metals, PFAS and organic and inorganic pollutants to levels below laboratory reporting limits, the plant added confidence to meet the site’s strict Environmental Protection Licence.
All marine works were conducted within the sensitive marine environment of the third-largest port in NSW. Daily water sampling during pile extraction was conducted to meet the DPI requirements and a 400m siltcurtain was installed and maintained for the duration of the project.

Exceptional outcomes

The extraction of the steel piles was never attempted on such a scale and involved various techniques. By far the most successful and innovative technique for extraction of the land- based piles was achieved by welding 40mm steel plates onto the pile head using skilled boilermakers and a 300t crawler crane, fitted with the largest single pile clamp available in Australia.
With Liberty Industrial’s work complete, the project will pave way for the development of Australia’s first liquefied natural gas regasification terminal – a landmark project being delivered by Australian Industrial Energy, which will see the Port Kembla Gas Terminal have the capability to supply more than 75% of NSW’s energy requirements.

Value Add

Closure Consulting

Long-term closure planning, budgets and redevelopment strategies for redundant sites, including Early Contractor Involvement and detailed estimates.

Demolition Simulation and Modelling

With exclusive license to demonstrate using Extreme Loading® for Structures (ELS) software developed by Applied Sciences International (ASI).

Deconstruction

Use of best approach demolition and dismantling such as explosive using world class fleet, safety and engineering methodologies in explosives and rigging.

Ground and Waste Water Treatment

Treatment of a wide range of contaminants and complex water treatment and soil vapour extraction.

Asset and Resource Recovery

Comprehensive waste and recycling management to contribute to the circular economy to extend the lifecycle of materials.

Site Remediation

Site rehabilitation via methods such as bioremediation, containment, decontamination, dewatering, stabilisation, treatment and tracking to disposal of contaminants.