: News Article

First blocks removed

12/11/2003

Engineering ingenuity and mechanical grunt are being combined in an operation to remove blocks of concrete from the Ross River Dam spillway.

Lowering the spillway is the first stage of the dam upgrade, which is on track for a December finish.

Local Contractor, Total Construction Services and specialist providers Berry Wallsawing from Melbourne are taking about 3.6 metres off the top of the spillway in blocks, some weighing up to 40 tonnes.

The concrete is cut from the spillway using a bandsaw running diamond encrusted steel wire. The blocks are then separated using circular saws, hydraulic splitters and expanding grout. A crane is used to lift the blocks from the spillway.

NQ Water CEO Ken Diehm said the concrete cutters were brought in as a priority to cut steel reinforcing in the spillway, which was not shown in the original state government drawings.

"The steel presented special challenges and the NQ Water Board brought in specialist equipment to ensure the work was completed before the start of the wet season," Mr Diehm said.

"We are extremely happy with progress. Berry has been preparing around 32 square metres of concrete a day for removal.

"That's twice as fast as was originally anticipated. We are confident that the works will be completed by early December.

"The whole structure is mounted on a floating platform which travels along the side of the spillway. The Berry crew is living up to its reputation as being the best in the world at what they do."

Dam capacity will be restored with the installation of spillway gates, which is expected to be within two years.

Contact: Ken Diehm on 0438 192 082. NQ Water Media Liaison Robert Dark on 0417 623 156. Vision and stills will be supplied by Norbert Von Der Height.

© 2004 NQ Water