The Ginninderry development comprises approximately 1,600 hectares of land that is being developed by a Joint Venture (JV) between the ACT Government’s Suburban Land Agency (SLA) and Riverview Developments (ACT) Pty Limited
A Vision for Sustainable Development
On completion, around 30,000 people will one day make their home in this spectacular setting that extends across the ACT and NSW border. Consisting of four suburbs, the community will grow over 30 years, at the rate of three or four hundred homes a year, to an eventual total of 11,500 homes. Drawing upon the expertise and imagination of industry leaders that have excelled in the area of sustainable development, the Ginninderry JV is committed to creating a world-class development that exemplifies the highest standards of urban design and sustainability.
Rehabilitation of the West Belconnen Resource Management Centre (WBRMC)
As part of its sustainability vision, the Suburban Land Agency (SLA) and the Ginninderry JV will remediate and rehabilitate the 108 hectare Ginninderry Regeneration Precinct (GRP), the former landfill site previously known as the West Belconnen Resource Management Centre (WBRMC), and developing the surrounding land. Following rehabilitation, the GRP is intended to transition into a hub of recreation, community, social and economic activity – adding significant value to the Canberra community.
Southern Pathway Break (SPWB) – A Crucial Ancillary System
Douglas Partners (Douglas) is excited to be part of the landfill rehabilitation team and the designers of the ancillary systems that have facilitated the release of the developable land to the south of the WBRMC. Douglas was initially engaged in 2021 to provide environmental and geotechnical consultancy for the SPWB. The SPWB is a standalone contingency system that intercepts and manages potential contaminants that may bypass the southern boundary of the WBRMC and neutralises potential landfill contaminant risks beyond the southern boundary of the landfill.
Our comprehensive work, which culminated in the detailed design of the SPWB, included:
- Environmental and Geotechnical Investigations: conduct detailed assessments to inform the SPWB’s concept and detailed design.
- Modelling and Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement: prepare the concept and detailed design for the SPWB.
Given the importance of this ancillary system, our work and design report were subject to audit by two ACT Environment Protection Authority (EPA) accredited auditors and were peer-reviewed by industry experts and the ACT EPA.
Currently, we are overseeing the SPWB construction phase from the perspective of geotechnical and environmental quality assurance.
Leading the Landfill Rehabilitation
Following our successful engagement on the SPWB, Douglas Partners has been tasked with developing the overall concept design for the GRP rehabilitation on behalf of SLA and the Ginninderry JV. Our responsibilities include:
- Review and Gap Analysis: Examining all previous landfill-related reports and identifying areas requiring further investigation or improvement.
- Environmental and Geotechnical Expertise: Applying our knowledge to optimise proposed land uses while maximising environmental protection and sustainability.
- Landfill Gas and Leachate Management: Evaluating options for effective collection, treatment, and management systems.
- Ground Improvement Requirements: Advising on options for suitable ground improvement technologies to facilitate beneficial rehabilitation.
- Capping Concept Designs: Developing designs for various capping types to support potential future landfill uses, including ongoing aftercare requirements and costings so as to enable an informed stakeholders’ identification of the preferred capping solution.
Douglas’ Landfill Capping Concept Design report will also be subject to audit by two ACT EPA-accredited auditors, industry experts and the ACT EPA.
Looking Ahead
We are therefore excited about the outcome of our collaborative work with SLA, the Ginninderry JV, and the ACT Government to date, and we look forward to further supporting this state-of-the-art sustainable project with our ‘Grounded Expertise’.
For more information about our geotechnical and environmental services, visit Douglas Partners.
