Highfields Trunk Water Main

In order to better service the exponential residential growth taking place in the area, Newlands Group were contracted by Toowoomba Regional Council to design and construct 3km of DN450 DICL pipeline, as part of the future connection works from Mitchell Road (existing DN375 trunk supply) to a future reservoir site in Highfields. The scope of works included:
• design of the pipeline (including air/scour/ isolation valves)
• excavation/bedding/ laying/ backfill of the pipe trench within live roads
• resurfacing of the traffic lanes
• hydrostatic and bacterial testing of the pipeline, and
• connection of the new main to the existing (live) infrastructure at 4 locations.

Due to the presence of existing services in the road verge (electrical, communications, water and stormwater), it was Council’s preference that the new trunk main be laid within the existing collector roadways, which presented a number of challenges including:
• constructing a pipeline whilst maintaining traffic flow and minimising disruption to bus services
• minimising the effects of traffic on exposed roadbase/ maintaining a trafficable roadway under heavy, constant traffic
• wet weather mitigation of reinstated pavement within trench extents
• constant stakeholder management with property owners, business owners, emergency services, bus services etc
• construction around live service crossings within the roadway (high
pressure trunk main, asbestos pipes, high voltage electrical conduits etc)

Newlands successfully navigated these challenges through effective and ongoing stakeholder management, ensuring the best possible outcome for both the traffic network and the Highfields community. During the hydrostatic pressure testing phase, innovative construction technologies were employed to minimize downtime for the crews while maintaining the high-quality standards Newlands is known for. The materials used in constructing the pipeline within the roadway have significantly improved the drainage capacity, enhancing the road’s longevity and extending the design life of the existing pavements. Even within the project’s tight timeline, noticeable improvements in pavement drainage were observed in key areas. Another key aspect of the pipeline design was the forethought which was put into the future connection works, through strong collaboration and clear communication, Newlands Group and Toowoomba Regional Council delivered a project that will benefit the growing Highfields community for many years to come.