The project team responsible for the Banora Point Pacific Highway upgrade have received the 2012 Australasian Erosion Control Association environmental achievement award.
It is the second gong for the upgrade, which also won last year’s International Erosion Control Association award.
Federal member for Richmond, Justine Elliot, said The team devised an ingenious ‘triple-stack’ design – a space-efficient and environmentally friendly way to treat water from the road surface run-off – which is largely what won them the award.
‘By implementing an innovative sediment-capture system, the project team ensured site water would be treated before being released into the natural drainage line that joins the sensitive environmental areas downstream.
‘The upgrade’s erosion-control system also achieved excellent environmental outcomes for water quality and for the sustainable re-use of materials.
‘On top of these accolades, the Banora Point upgrade is a significant project that has and will continue to improve road safety and traffic flow on the highway, as well as improve access to and from the Pacific Highway for local traffic. It is gratifying to see that such an important upgrade has been completed and done well, so I congratulate the project team on their efforts,’ said Ms Elliot.
NSW member for Tweed, Geoff Provest, said the building methods adopted minimised the project’s impact on water quality, water flow, and flood risk.
‘A complex drain-extension program upgraded and replaced new and existing drainpipes 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 upgrade opened to traffic last month and full project completion is scheduled for later this year, weather permitting,’ said Mr Provest.
The Banora Point upgrade project is jointly funded by the federal government ($349 million) and NSW government ($10 million).
