In March 2008, Built Environs completed the $15 million Snowtown Windfarm project on the Barunga and Hammock Ranges, west of Snowtown, South Australia, designing and constructing 47 turbine footings and associated civil works.

With parts of the site having been identified as of heritage significance, Aboriginal monitors were present during road construction and excavation of some of the foundations.

Construction work included:

• 26 km of access roads.
• 47 crane hardstand areas for turbine installation.
• 42 post-tensioned rock-anchored turbine foundations.
• Five gravity-type turbine foundations.
• Civil works required for the windfarm substation.

 

The rock-anchored footing is an engineering solution that significantly reduces the ground area required to support a turbine tower, creating environmental and cost benefits. Footing selection is mainly determined by the geophysical properties of each excavation site.

Built Environs project staff lived in the region for the duration of the project and supported the local community through engagement of local contractors, sponsorship of the Snowtown Show and a range of other activities.

The project received the 2008 Master Builders Association award for Excellence in Civil Construction.

The Built Environs engineering capability that delivered this project is now provided by the South Australian engineering office of parent company McConnell Dowell, offering clients access to both the expertise of the former Built Environs engineering teams and the international experience of McConnell Dowell.

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