Kleinfelder was commissioned to undertake an environmental assessment and civil and geotechnical design services for a 350km firebreak/fire trail around the proposed new training ground being established in Northern Queensland, known as the Greenvale Training Area (GVTA).

Understanding The Location

The identified fire trail route will traverse approximately 350km of remote, often mountainous terrain with numerous large ephemeral river crossings.  The scoped fire trail route is located within Gugu-Badhun, Gudjala and Ewamian country; therefore, during preliminary investigations, the Kleinfelder team engaged with the local community to screen the area for artifacts prior to any excavation works.

Scope of Assessment

Environmental – Flora and fauna assessments, including identifying significant observations of threatened flora, fauna habitat, weed species, and feral animals.

Civil – design and detail consideration of the best route for the proposed vehicle types, considering obstacles such as mountainous terrain, large river crossings, and dry vertical gullies.

Geotechnical – visual inspection, testing, and sampling of soils ranging from soft clay and loose sand to hard, igneous rock and identifying potential problem soils such as hard rock, silts, and dispersive clays and providing low-cost pavement solutions using insitu materials where possible.

Project Results

The proposed fire trail will form a key element of the strategic management plan to contain potential bushfires within the GVTA and to mitigate these risks to the wider region.

Following a series of value engineering exercises, Kleinfelder advised the client of alternative route and construction methodologies in order to reduce costs and fit their budget, whilst still meeting environmental and design standards.

Project Details

Location:
Queensland

Owner:
Department of Defence