The Lindfield projects were a highly sensitive community and environmentally project, requiring the removal of oil tanks that supplied the redundant 132kV oil filled cables. New 132kV cables were recently installed to replace the redundant cable in the area by Ausgrid. During the 132kV cable replacement works, there were several dissatisfied local community members that were affected by the cable replacement works. UEA was engaged by Ausgrid to carry out the removal of these oil tanks with a key focus on the local community and environment.
CORE REQUIREMENTS
- Stakeholder management of the local community
- Compose methodologies of the safe removal process of the tanks
- Liaise with Ausgrid to complete sections of the removal works
- Undertake excavations in the road to allow the removal of the tanks
- Removal and environmentally dispose of 62 oil filled tanks
- Temporary Restoration of the road surface
RESULTS
- Delivered the project on Schedule
- Zero safety incidents
- The majority of the tanks were removed safely. Tanks that were unable to be removed due to safety concerns were drained and concrete caped in situ
- Exceptional community relations and stakeholder management
- Effective management of all partied involved in the project
CHALLENGES
- Removal of the tanks required advanced preplanning to ensure the required resources will be on site including contingency plans
- The tanks varied in height up to 2.7m long and weighing several tonnes.
- Breaking the vacuum seal at the bottom of the tanks while ensuring the safety of staff during the process
- Disconnecting the oil pipes from the reservoir to the tanks in a safe way, ensuring the oil is contained.
- Ensuring other services and structures were not affected by the removal process.
- Working within school affected areas, ensuring sufficient traffic control is on site and planning critical stages to occur during school hours.
- Concrete encased services ontop of the oil tanks that had to be carefully exposed to allow the removal of the tanks.