The Banora Point Pacific Highway upgrade has won the prestigious International Erosion Control Association (IECA) premier award.
Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot, said the award recognised outstanding sediment and erosion control and natural resource conservation.
‘The most notable initiative contributing to the project’s award was a ‘triple-stack’ design at the northbound on-ramp. This helps treat runoff water from the road surface while conserving considerable space.
‘The design also included a cleanwater pipe under a sediment basin and an open vegetated biofiltration channel on the surface which is used to treat road surface runoff in an area no bigger than one lane wide.
‘The project also implemented an innovative sediment capture system. This system ensured site water was treated before being released into the natural drainage line that joins the sensitive environmental areas downstream.
‘Using this erosion control system achieved excellent environmental outcomes for water quality and for the sustainable re-use of materials,’ said Ms Elliot.
Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest, said the building methods adopted by the project resulted in reduced impacts to water quality, water flow, and flood risk.
‘It is a great achievement for the Banora Point upgrade to be recognised internationally for its innovative erosion and sediment controls,’ said Mr Provest.
‘As part of the project design, a complex drain extension program was required to refurbish existing drains and accommodate new drain pipes under the new highway lanes.
‘This work required the ongoing management of clean water from multiple sources, including Lake Kimberley, tidal flows from the Tweed River, and significant stormwater from the local roads, highway, and surrounding urban catchment.’
The Banora Point uprade is opening progressively with the southbound road now open, and is expected to be fully open to traffic in mid 2012 with final finishing work on local roads scheduled for the second half of 2012, weather permitting.
The $359 million project was jointly funded by the Australian government ($349 million under the Nation Building Program) and the NSW government ($10 million).
