NBTK Fish Screens Installation
About the project
Pensar was engaged by AWMA, to install fish screens at various sites for the NSW Department of Fisheries, between Moree and Bourke. The screens were installed over the end of irrigation pipeline intakes on agriculture properties. The region and properties were all large cotton producing sites utilising between 1M and 100M litres of water per day. The screens are sized so that nothing smaller than 2mm can pass through the screen into the irrigation system. This project is a sustainable waterways project, managed by NSW Department of Fisheries for the future sustainability of local waterways.
Location
Multiple sites, between Bourke and Moree, New South Wales
Client & Duration
AWMA and NSW Department of Fisheries
Jun 2024 - August 2025
Project Scope
- Site investigations
- Temporary works coffer dams
- Bulk earthworks
- Sheet piling and permanent piling
- Installation of screen rails and screens
- Electrical and hydraulic connections and installations
- Commissioning of each site with end user.
Challenges
- Remote and varying locations with unseasonally wet weather and differing ground conditions
- Working in the harsh western NSW environment with incredible heat
- Each work site’s infrastructure was uniquely designed to meet the requirements of the end user (property owner), and compatible with their site equipment
- As water is key to the success of each end users successful operation, it was important for Pensar and AWMA to manage each of their needs and work around individual irrigation windows and opportunities to draw water.
Achievements
- Pensar’s project team and dedicated support engineering team, have many years of experience working and managing variable ground conditions allowing them to draw from their
knowledge pool and when required, call on experienced support to gain immediate positive outcomes. Detailed design reviews were conducted at each location to limit future issues arising during construction - Pensar consulted each end user prior to site teams commencing on each site and openly discussed proactive solutions to each individual’s concerns and queries, which were then adopted into each sites delivery program
- AWMA’s bespoke design reviewed each site independently with individual end user’s needs and existing infrastructure considered. As a result of this, Pensar completed multiple investigation requirements to populate the bespoke design
- AWMA and Pensar collaborated in a joint venture like model, with manufacturing and technical engineering support completed by AWMA and Pensar completing the site delivery and technical engineering.