Water
Sterling delivers specialised engineering services for critical water infrastructure across Australia, from treatment facilities and distribution networks to complex pipeline installations and comprehensive drainage and stormwater management systems.
Our Capabilities
Sterling provides comprehensive engineering services for water infrastructure projects, supporting utility providers and government agencies with the technical expertise required for critical public health assets. Our water engineering capabilities span the complete infrastructure lifecycle, from condition assessments of aging distribution networks to complex pipeline installations through rail corridors and environmentally sensitive areas. Our teams specialise in the technical challenges specific to water assets, delivering solutions that ensure reliable water supply and effective stormwater management for communities nationwide.
Our structural investigations and monitoring services address the critical nature of water infrastructure, where failure impacts public health and essential services. Sterling's engineers conduct comprehensive condition assessments across pipeline networks spanning hundreds of kilometres, utilising advanced inspection techniques including underwater structural assessments for submerged assets. Geotechnical investigations inform pipeline route selection and foundation design for treatment facilities, while structural monitoring systems provide early warning of asset degradation.
Water projects often require complex interface management, particularly where new infrastructure crosses existing rail corridors or port facilities. Sterling's rail project advisory services manage the intricate approval processes and safeworking requirements for utility crossings, ensuring water infrastructure projects proceed safely through active transport corridors. Projects like the Kalkallo Water Mains undertrack bore rail interface demonstrate our capability to navigate complex stakeholder coordination between utility providers and transport operators.
From comprehensive drainage and stormwater management systems to major pipeline installations, Sterling's civil engineering expertise ensures water infrastructure projects meet demanding performance standards. Our drainage capabilities encompass urban stormwater networks, flood mitigation systems, and integrated water management solutions that protect communities and infrastructure assets. Through geospatial surveying, structural design, construction and maintenance, we deliver resilient water infrastructure that addresses both supply security and flood resilience across Australia.
Kalkallo Water Mains - Undertrack Bore Rail Interface
Comprehensive rail interface management for installation of two 618mm OD water mains via undertrack boring through VicTrack, V/Line, and ARTC rail corridors at Kalkallo, including design approvals, construction support, track monitoring, and safeworking supervision.
Challenge
MFJ Constructions needed to install two 618mm OD water mains via undertrack boring within rail corridors at Kalkallo requiring complex coordination through VicTrack's 4-Phase approval process. Having completed Phases 1 and 2, they required specialist support to obtain V/Line and ARTC construction approvals (Phase 3), implement real-time track monitoring during boring to detect any track movement, coordinate multiple rail operator requirements including Site Access Permits and job cards, manage frac-out risks during pipe jacking, and provide continuous safeworking supervision throughout the 24-day construction program.
Solution
Sterling provided end-to-end rail interface management including submission of rail access applications for track monitoring, non-destructive digging, and pipe jacking activities to V/Line and ARTC, development of track monitoring plans with automatic tilt sensors collecting 15-minute interval data with real-time alerts, establishment of baseline track geometry one week pre-construction, coordination of VicTrack Permits to Work and operator-specific permits (V/Line Site Access, ARTC job cards), development of SWMS and construction methodologies, frac-out management plan review, bore head retrieval plan coordination, track certification validation, three-week post-construction monitoring period, and full safeworking supervision using ActivateRail resources.
Deliverables
VicTrack Phase 3 rail operator construction approvals from V/Line and ARTC, Site Access Permits and job cards, VicTrack Permits to Work, track monitoring plans and tilt sensor installation with 15-minute automated data collection, real-time movement alerts and daily reporting, track geometry baseline establishment and validation, construction phase safeworking supervision, track certifier validation services, bore head retrieval and frac-out management plan reviews, three-week post-construction monitoring with daily reports, equipment removal supervision, as-built drawings transmission, and close-out documentation for all rail operators.
Outcome
Successfully secured all required rail operator construction approvals enabling MFJ Constructions to proceed with undertrack bore installation across VicTrack, V/Line, and ARTC corridors. Track monitoring system with automatic tilt sensors provided real-time protection during pipe jacking operations with no track geometry exceedances detected. Delivered comprehensive safeworking supervision across 24-day construction program ensuring zero safety incidents. Three-week post-construction monitoring validated structural integrity.
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