Point Fraser Development

Point Fraser Development

31 Aug 2015

The Point Fraser development is a functional and attractive urban space in the centre of Perth. It is located on the Swan River foreshore in East Perth, Western Australia. The site was developed by the City of Perth in 2009. The Point Fraser Development represents the City’s commitment to innovation and sustainable development. As well as having urban amenity it forms an important part of the treatment process for stormwater entering the Swan River.

As well as forming an important part of the aesthetic landscape, the wetland is designed to treat stormwater from nearby urban areas before discharge to the Swan River. The wetland includes open pools and densely vegetated zones and utilises sedimentation, filtration and biological processes to remove pollutants from incoming stormwater.

The area is an attractive and interactive urban space. It includes parking, bike and kayak hire facilities, children’s playground and barbeques. There are interpretative trails through the landscaped area, including the wetland. It is a popular destination of walkers, families and is part of the local cycle track. Lake Vasto, a large lake and landscaped urban area, is nearby.

The Point Fraser development is located on a constrained 5.8 ha site. The site design had to deal with low slopes, high groundwater and the close proximity of the Swan River. Syrinx Environmental developed the design of the wetland. Work on the project commenced in 2002 and was completed in several phases by 2009.

The wetland has won a number of awards. it won the Interpretation Australia Association National Award for Best Practice Interpretation (2008).

Yandi Flood Model

31 Aug 2015

The BHP Billiton Iron Ore Yandi mine is located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, northwest of Newman. The mine opened in 1991 and has been operating continuously since. The mine’s current capacity is more than 40 million tonnes of ore per year. The mine is one of several operated by BHP Billiton Iron Ore in the Pilbara. Ore is mined by open-cut, crushed and screened at the mine then transported by rail for export from Port Hedland.

The mine site is located across Marillana Creek, a tributary of Weeli Wolli Creek and the Fortescue Marsh. Marillana Creek is a large stream which flows for short time after heavy rainfall events, often associated with cyclones. Flood flows in the creek can exceed 2,000 m3/s.

The mine produces iron ore from a number of open pits adjacent to the creek. To mine safely, the characteristics of the creek hydrology need to be well understood. Structures are needed to protect the mine for flooding and predictions of water levels in flood events are needed for input to the design process. Stormwater drainage on the mine is complex and changes frequently, as new infrastructure is built, so planning tools need to be able to respond appropriately.